50 Years of Friendship Between Falkirk District and the Odenwald

That the Parliament celebrates 50 years of friendship between Falkirk district and the German district of Odenwald through the twinning of the towns; notes that the general purpose of twinning is to promote friendship and links within the partnerships, to cultivate greater understanding of twin communities, to help in arranging exchanges and visits, to include as diverse a range of activities and abilities as possible, to help financially, if feasible, to stimulate interest in twinning and to aid communication between interested parties in all areas of activity within the communities; understands that Odenwald is a rural region in south west Germany that comprises five towns, the largest of which is Michelstadt, and features many attractions including Schloss Erbach, or Erbach Palace in the town of Erbach; recognises that the Falkirk-based group, The Odenwald Association, together with its German counterpart, the Schottland Vereinigung, put together a celebration called Schottische Nacht (Scottish Night), which featured the Jenkins School of Highland Dancing, the Falkirk Junior Gaelic Choir, the Tonkerers, Glenbervie Folk Duo and Lads wi’ Gear, which took place in Germany in early August 2019; commends all of the groups on their participation, recognising that this trip is the second part of these celebrations, the first being earlier in the year with The Spielmannzug Orchestra performing in the Trinity Church in Falkirk; congratulates everyone involved in The Odenwald Association on their dedication to furthering the cultural links between Scotland and its European partners, and looks forward to more events in recognition of town twinning in the coming years.