Town Twinning
To promote international friendship and understanding by preserving and strengthening the link formed with Flekkefjord and to stimulate and foster mutual exchange at all possible levels.
Through engaging events, educational programs, and our annual exchange, we aim to create meaningful connections that last a lifetime and foster greater understanding between our cultures.
Our historic town twinning with Flekkefjord, Norway
The twinning link between Burntisland and Flekkefjord was formalised at a public meeting in Burntisland Parish Church Hall on 24 February 1946, and it is reckoned to be the oldest extant town twinning link in the world. Contacts between Burntisland and Norway developed during the Second World War, when Norwegian soldiers were based in Fife.
What is town twinning?
The town twinning movement started in 1945, with the support of mayors and citizens who vowed that Europe should never again be torn apart by war.
The main motivation was to rebuild relationships between nations heavily impacted by the war, allowing citizens from different countries to interact and learn about each other's cultures. By pairing towns across borders, the idea was to create a grassroots level of connection that could transcend political tensions.
A core aspect of town twinning is facilitating the exchange of ideas, traditions, and customs through visits, student programs, and community events.
Burntisland, Fife
For generations, families have been enjoying all the fun of the seaside at Burntisland. One of Fife’s most popular seaside resorts, there’s a long list of reasons to visit Burntisland, including the long sandy beach, the visiting funfair, the tenth oldest golf club in the world and one of the oldest Highland Games in Scotland.
Flekkefjord, Norway
Midway between Kristiansand in Southern Norway and Stavanger in Fjord Norway, you’ll find the charming coastal town Flekkefjord.
Flowers decorate the entrance to many of the wooden houses and some of the towns walls are adorned with spectacular murals and street art. These Vibrant colors and exciting street art turn the city into a living gallery. There's also a museum, local specialty shops, and quayside restaurants.
From Flekkefjord, you can also visit the island Hidra, hike to the potholes at Brufjell, or go rail biking at Flekkefjordbanen.
"Because of the Town Twinning I forged friendships that I never would have otherwise."
- Olivia
