Pskov - Russia
The background to Perth & Kinross Council's link with Pskov dates back to 1988 when Alexander Gelman, a popular Soviet playwright and friend of Mr Gorbachev, visited Perth Theatre and subsequently proposed a twinning between Perth & Kinross and Pskov. The late Dr Joan Knight, former Artistic Director of Perth Theatre was particularly enthusiastic about forming such a link.
Enquiries uncovered that Pskov, which is situated approximately halfway between St Petersburg and Riga, had a comparable historical, cultural and economic background to Perth. The Soviets were at that time keen to negotiate joint ventures involving British expertise to assist in their economy as well as strengthen cultural exchange programmes.
To progress the link the then Provost Alex Murray made the journey to Russia in 1990. The main purpose of this visit was to make contact with the authorities in Pskov with a view to bringing a party of children to Perth to take part in a play entitled 'Peace Child' which was to be performed during the Perth Festival of the Arts in May 1991. During the visit, Provost Murray signed a twinning agreement and at the same time invited a delegation from Pskov in early 1991.
In 1991 the delegation from Pskov, led by Nicolai Fedotov, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Pskov City Council, came to Perth to seal the link.
Two teachers from the Pskov Pedagogical Institute were sponsored by Perth & Kinross District Council to attend the Edinburgh University Summer School in the same year. That year the production of 'Peace Child' was a huge success. Sixteen children from Pskov participated in this production which was deemed a major factor in Perth & Kinross District Council being awarded the Royal Mail Twinning Award in 1991.
In late 1991, the Pskov Aid Campaign was organised and lorry loads of foodstuffs and clothing were donated by the local community and distributed in response to the plight of the Pskov population. This gesture of goodwill to Perth & Kinross's twin was viewed as a 'twinning bridge' between the two areas.
In 1992, the Friends of Pskov twinning association was formed to promote and encourage links of all kinds between the two towns.
Various educational and cultural links have taken place since the birth of the twinning and there have been close links with Perth College e.g. local sponsorship brought the Pskov Youth Choir to Perth during the Festival of the Arts in 1994. The activities tend to concentrate on arts, education and friendship.
For further information contact:
Judy Harris Perth & Kinross Council - 01738 475058
