International cooperation and solidarity

The Cosmopolis international meeting place hosted twelve exhibitions and welcomed over 39,000 visitors in 2010.

The major events included a focus on Japan from 24 August to 30 October, inviting visitors to delve into the heart of tradition and modernity. During those two months, numerous partners were mobilised in various sites across the City to present exhibitions, conferences, films, mangas, artistic performances, etc.

Those events reiterated the close ties between Japan and Nantes, notably through the participation of Japanese artists within the scope of the City's twinning with Niigata. This friendship is visible in a variety of cultural fields. As concerns music, René Martin's first Folle Journée in Niigata was thus appreciated by 30,000 listeners.

At the beginning of the year, the Rectorat de Nantes and the Department of Education of the State of Washington signed a partnership agreement aimed at intensifying educational exchanges, particularly between secondary schools. In the spring, to celebrate the 30 years of exchanges between Nantes and Seattle, Mr Jean-Marc Ayrault welcomed a delegation from Seattle. An official reception took place on 8 May, within the scope of the ceremonies held to celebrate the victory of the Allies in 1945, and on 10 May with the commemoration of the abolition of slavery. In July, for the counterpart celebration of this twinning, a group of 30 people from the Nantes Seattle association were received in Seattle within the scope of Bastille Day celebrations (in which Nantes musicians took part).

The City has set up a local aid committee called CLAP to finance ambitious initiatives that young Nantes residents want to implement abroad. Beyond the financial aspect, the grants are accompanied by support from member organisations and prominent figures.

Three main criteria were defined in 2010 for the allocation of a grant:

• International solidarity (for young people aged 16 to 25);
• The desire to travel and discover new horizons in the cities twinned with Nantes or partner cities (for students);
• The desire to spread knowledge of Nantes abroad (for students).

Cosmopolis

• 39,000 visitors (an increase of 5,000);
• 12 exhibitions, 37 shows, 2 cinema festivals, 1 storytelling festival;
• some one hundred conferences;
• 163 non-profit organisations welcomed.

Grants

• 36 non-profit organisations received grants for "twinned & partner" cities (+11) totalling €75,232;
• 55 grants allocated for "twinning cooperation" (+13);
• 27 non-profit organisations received Solidarity grants (+7) totalling €101,600 (+€15,220);
• 14 grants allocated to solidarity projects.