A DECADES-LONG partnership between Wigan Borough and the French city of Angers is set to be celebrated as the third annual French Week is announced.

French Week, which takes place at venues across Wigan, Leigh, and Hindley, allows local people to immerse themselves in French culture while strengthening cultural links between the two communities.

Cinema, cheese and wine tasting, games and craft activities, a pétanque tournament and a mural created in partnership with Angers artists Dupin and Duclos and young people from Wigan Youth Zone are all on the week’s exciting lineup.

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Leigh Journal: The Pont de Verdun bridge in AngersThe Pont de Verdun bridge in Angers (Image: Ambassadress from Angers)
Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities at Wigan Council, said: “We’re really proud that we’ve been twinned with Angers for over 35 years, with a friendship beginning in the 1970s before it was made official back in 1988.

“Culture is a massive priority for us here at Wigan Council and our borough’s cultural manifesto, the Fire Within, has brought over £35m into the borough.

“But what’s most important is the impact this has on our individuals and communities and the positive tangible effect it has on their health and wellbeing.”

Leigh Journal: A previous twinning event at Wigan Town Hall in 2015A previous twinning event at Wigan Town Hall in 2015 (Image: Wigan Council)
The week, organised by Ambassadress of Angers at Wigan Council in partnership with cultural partners from both towns, takes place from Friday, April 5 – Saturday, April 13.

French art duo, Dupin and Duclos, added: “We paint cities and various imaginary landscapes to create visual playgrounds which help people to create stories and imagine characters.

"We’re really excited to be taking part in the cultural exchange with Wigan Council and Angers, and can’t wait to create a huge mural at Wigan Youth Zone which we’ll develop with youngsters aged between eight and 18 which represents their dreams for the future.”

Some events are bookable now while a full programme will be released online soon. Information can be found on the council's website here.