50th Douzelage General Meeting concludes

Marsaskala, Malta – Sunday, 6 September 2026

The 50th General Meeting of Douzelage European Town Twinning has concluded in Marsaskala, Malta, following a weekend which brought together communities from across Europe for discussion, learning, friendship and cooperation.

The landmark gathering, held during the 35th anniversary year of Douzelage, concluded with the traditional handover of the Douzelage flag from Marsaskala to Niederanven, Luxembourg, which will host the next General Meeting in May 2027.

The symbolic handover took place during Saturday evening’s Farewell Dinner and Closing Ceremony, alongside the traditional exchange of gifts between participating towns.

Over the course of the meeting, delegates participated in dedicated General Meeting, Education and Youth programmes centred on tackling domestic violence in local communities.

The 50th Douzelage General Meeting underway at the St Tomas More College, Marsaskala. Pic – Stephen Busuttil.

Expert presentations, workshops and discussions explored domestic violence and victim support, before delegates came together to share their findings arising from the weekend.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to mark two significant milestones for the network – the 35th anniversary of Douzelage and its 50th General Meeting.

Douzelage President Shane Smyth said: “Marsaskala has provided a wonderful setting for a very special General Meeting. Our 50th meeting is an important milestone, but what has struck me throughout this weekend is that Douzelage continues to be about exactly what it was created to achieve 35 years ago – bringing Europeans together at community level. On behalf of the entire Douzelage network, I want to thank Mayor Mario Calleja, the Local Council and the entire organising team here in Marsaskala. An enormous amount of work happens behind the scenes to welcome delegates from across Europe and deliver a meeting of this scale, and the warmth of the welcome we have received throughout the weekend has been exceptional. As we hand the Douzelage flag to Niederanven, we close one chapter and immediately begin looking forward to the next. That continuity – one town passing responsibility to another – is one of the traditions that makes Douzelage so special.”

The Douzelage flag is passed to Niederanven Mayor Fréd Ternes – pic Uli Fielitz

Mayor of Marsaskala Mario Calleja said:

“It has been a tremendous honour for Marsaskala to host the 50th General Meeting of Douzelage. Over these few days we have welcomed friends from across Europe, discussed an issue of real importance to our communities and, just as importantly, strengthened the friendships which have always been at the heart of Douzelage. I want to thank everyone who travelled to Malta to be part of this special meeting, and particularly all those here in Marsaskala who worked so hard to make it possible. As we pass the Douzelage flag to Niederanven, we wish our friends in Luxembourg every success and look forward to joining the Douzelage family there next May.

 

Accepting the Douzelage flag on behalf of the next host town, Mayor of Niederanven Fréd Ternes said:

“It is a great honour for Niederanven to receive the Douzelage flag and to follow the wonderful welcome provided by Marsaskala. We look forward to welcoming the Douzelage family to Luxembourg next May and continuing the spirit of friendship, cooperation and European solidarity that we have experienced here in Malta.”

The flag handover is a beautiful tradition of the Douzelage network, symbolising both the conclusion of one General Meeting and the responsibility being passed to the community which will host the next gathering.”

Niederanven, Luxembourg

President Smyth also paid particular tribute to the volunteers and local organisations who supported the Marsaskala meeting.

“Events like this simply do not happen without people giving their time, energy and enthusiasm. To everyone who helped with the organisation, transport, hospitality, ceremonies, activities and countless other details over the past few days: thank you. You have done Marsaskala and Douzelage proud.”

Delegations depart Malta on Sunday carrying with them not only the outcomes of the weekend’s discussions but new friendships, renewed partnerships and ideas to bring back to their own communities.

The next General Meeting of Douzelage European Town Twinning will take place in Niederanven, Luxembourg, in May 2027.