Bundoran’s Douzelage committee held a reception to welcome the mayor of Preveza, Greece, Mr Nikos Georgakos, together with His Excellency Mr Georgios Stilianopoulos, Ambassador of Greece to Ireland, at the Rougey Suite of Bundoran Community Centre. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery
’s Douzelage committee held a reception to welcome the mayor of Preveza, Greece, Mr Nikos Georgakos, together with His Excellency Mr Georgios Stilianopoulos, Ambassador of Greece to Ireland, at the Rougey Suite of Bundoran Community Centre. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery
The town of Preveza was, along with Bundoran, one of the founding partners of the Douzelage European Town Twinning organisation, almost 35 years to the day on May 20, 1991, in Granville, France.
Greeting Mr Georgakos and Mr Stilianopoulos were Donegal County Councillor Michael McMahon, President of Douzelage Shane Smyth, members of the Bundoran Douzelage committee and several representatives from Bundoran, including directors of Bundoran Community Centre.
Shane Smyth spoke of the deep connection that exists between all the European partner towns which make up Douzelage but especially that of Bundoran and Preveza as well as the other ten original members who, in 1991, chose cooperation over division and connection over distance, as the charter was signed in France thirty-five years ago.
Cllr Michael McMahon extended a warm welcome to Mr Georgakos and Mr Stilianopoulos, drawing attention to the longevity of the existence of Douzelage in the town and the friendships that have been drawn from the association over the years.
Mr Georgakos, Mayor of Preveza, indicated his delight at visiting Bundoran and Donegal “Bundoran has left us speechless,” he said. “The wild Atlantic light, the fierce beauty of these cliffs and waves, the warmth of Irish hospitality - they have touched our hearts in ways we did not expect. The Greek delegation leaves this place richer, inspired, and deeply grateful.”
His Excellency Mr Stilianopoulos, Greek Ambassador to Ireland, added: “A twinning partnership is far more than a symbolic agreement – it represents an important opportunity to further strengthen ties between these two cities on many levels. May the friendship between Preveza and Bundoran continue to grow stronger, serving as a lasting example of cooperation, mutual respect and shared progress between our communities and our nations.”
Speaking afterwards, Douzelage president Shane Smyth said: “It’s always a great pleasure to welcome representatives from our partner towns to Bundoran and Donegal – we do our best to promote the town and the county when we are travelling to partner towns across Europe but it’s really not until they come here in person that they can truly appreciate the beauty of the area and understand our pride when we talk about Donegal.”
Cllr Michael McMahon added: “The Donegal hospitality was on show here today and we hope to see a return visit from both Mayor Georgakos and H.E. Stilianopoulos very soon – they’ll both be most welcome.”
Mayor Georgakos was presented with a framed copy of the William Butler Yeats poem “The Stolen Child” printed on a reproduction 1837 Ordinance Survey map by thecatandthemoon.ie while H.E. Stilianopoulos was presented with a vintage vase from the former Celtic Weave China in Ballyshannon.
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