A bit of history
In 1968, the state of Louisiana decided to ensure the survival of its francophone heritage and to revive the use of French within families and schools.
The CODOFIL (Council for the Development of French in Louisiana) was created in Lafayette, capital of Acadiana, the French-speaking part of southern Louisiana.
Very quickly, the CODOFIL invited several French-speaking countries to send teachers. France, Belgium, Switzerland and Quebec responded positively.
The Belgian Minister for Education, Antoine Humblet, was from Namur, as was Mariette Delahaut, the first director of Belgian teachers in Louisiana.
In 1974, seven teachers were sent to Louisiana. This number rose to 32 in 1975 and reached 99 for the 1976-1977 school year.
Since then, the Belgian French-speaking presence has continued, but to a lesser extent.
Within this context, a desire to establish lasting ties between the two communities took the form of a twinning agreement. Initially, it was considered that Namur would be twinned with New Orleans. However, at the instigation of Minister Humblet, Lafayette, capital of French Louisiana, was ultimately chosen.
As soon as 1977, a delegation from Namur Municipal Youth Commission, with Luc Arnould, travelled to Lafayette to explore the project.
In 1978, the first official trip was led by Francis Laloux, then Alderman for Culture and Tourism, accompanied by the Masuis and Cotelis Jambois group, as well as many residents of Namur.
In 1979, a twinning agreement between Namur and Lafayette was signed on 4 July by Mayor Louis Namèche and Mayor Kenny Bowen at the Halle al’Chair.
Since then, there have been many exchanges on academic, economic, administrative and, above all, human terms.
Namur and Lafayette are members of the Association Internationale des Maires Francophones (AIMF) and of the Vertech City Network (formerly the SESAME Network).
Quelques dates
1977
A delegation from Namur Municipal Youth Commission, with Luc Arnould, travelling to Lafayette to explore the twinning project.
1978
First official trip to Lafayette, accompanied by the Masuis and Cotelis Jambois group.
1979
Signing in Namur of the twinning agreement between the two cities.
1981
Belgium-Louisiana twinning in the United States.
1983-1992
Sending and hosting of various delegations.
1992
Official promotion of Louisiana and reception of its representatives in Namur.
1993
Visit to Louisiana by residents of Namur.
1994
15th anniversary of the Namur-Lafayette friendship. An official list of members of the non-profit organisation Belgium-Louisiana is established.
1996
Creation of the statutes of the non-profit organisation Namur-Lafayette.
1998
Preliminary mission in the context of the Wallonia Festivities, with Louisiana as guest of honour.
1999
Celebration of the Louisiana Tricentennial: 25 Belgian municipalities and 1,000 Walloons travelled to Louisiana. Louisiana as guest of honour at the Wallonia Festivities in Namur.
2000
13th International Affairs Forum in Lafayette. Organisation by NEW (Namur Europe Wallonia) of the Acadiana Cup at Rougemont Golf Club. This international golf tournament has been held since 1998 on the initiative of the cities of Lafayette and Poitiers.
2001
Establishment of the twinning committee with the City of Lafayette.
2002
Organisation of the Acadiana Cup at Rougemont Golf Club.
2003
Celebration of the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase from France by the United States. The official delegation met the Mayor of Lafayette, Walter Comeaux.
2004
Official reception and introduction of Joey Durel, President of the Lafayette Consolidated Government (City-Parish President) and participation in the International Achievement Award. The Alfers, a colour guard group, took part in the Festival International de Lafayette. The Mayor of Namur was present with a large delegation.
2005
Visit to Namur by Mayor Joey Durel and three councillors from Lafayette during the Wallonia Festivities.
2005
Organisation of a concert in aid of musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina.
2005
A new delegation from Namur attending the Festival International de Lafayette in April.
2005
Visit to Namur by members of the Lafayette Council on the occasion of the Wallonia Festivities.
2006
Hosting of the University of Louisiana Jazz Ensemble for a series of concerts in various municipalities across Wallonia.
2009
Celebration of the 30th anniversary of the twinning agreement in Namur, featuring the screening of the film Mon cher Camarade, retracing the history of Cajun soldiers during the Second World War.
2010
The youth centre of Jambes launched a civic project. A group of six young people (aged 16-20) created a calling card for the City of Namur and had the opportunity to present it in Lafayette. Full project details are available on their blog: www.mjjambes.be/blog
2011 – Février
As part of the opening reception of the exhibition by the artist Francis X. Pavy, from Lafayette, a contract reaffirming the bond between the two sister cities was signed at the Seigneurie d’Anhaive.
2011 – Juin
Visit by the President of the Lafayette-Namur twinning.
2011 novembre
Mission to Lafayette and meeting between the sister cities.
2012 février
Visit to Lafayette for a meeting of the sister cities, as part of preparations for the Sisters Cities Day organised in Namur on 28 May 2012. The delegation also had the opportunity to attend the Lafayette Mardi Gras.
2012 mai
The Mayor of Lafayette in Namur on the occasion of the Pentecost celebrations.
2012 juillet
Event held on the occasion of 4 July at the Espace Francis Laloux – NEW’s monthly meeting.
2013 avril
Visit to Lafayette by members of the twinning agreement.
2013 – septembre
The Acadiana Cup golf tournament returned to Namur.
2014 – juillet
The 35th anniversary of the twinning celebrated properly at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers.
2015 – février
Visit to Namur by Katelynn Broussard of Lafayette during her participation in the Youth Parliament at the Wallonia-Brussels Federation Parliament.
2015 – avril
The office of the Association internationales des Maires francophones (AIMF) in Lafayette.
2015 – juillet
Visit to Namur by CODOFIL scholarship students studying at UMons.
2015 – octobre
The twinning accompanied an official delegation from the City of Namur.
2015 – octobre
Ms Françoise Lempereur’s sound archives handed over to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, received by Professor Barry Ansley.
2016 avril
Visit to Lafayette by the Governor of the Province of Namur, Denis Mathen. Meeting with the Mayor at City Hall.
2017 octobre
The Vertech Network held its conference in Lafayette.
2018 avril
Official delegation welcomed to Lafayette on the occasion of CODOFIL anniversary celebrations.
2018 avril
Teachers honoured during the CODOFIL anniversary celebrations in Vermilionville.
2018 mai
Manager Philippe Gustin received the Legion of Honour in Namur at the Governor’s Palace.
2018 septembre
The Fondation Louisiane in Namur was received at UNamur.
2019 juillet
The twinning celebrated its 40th anniversary with a major event at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers.
2019 décembre
The giant saxophone Sax of Liberty inaugurated in Dinant in the presence of the United States Ambassador.
2022 septembre
Signing of the agreement in Namur between UNamur and the UL at Lafayette as part of the student exchange programme. The twinning is a co-partner with the City of Namur.
2022 décembre
Signing of the agreement in Lafayette between UNamur and the UL at Lafayette as part of the student exchange programme. The twinning is a co-partner with the City of Namur.
2023 novembre
Inauguration of the mural dedicated to the City of Lafayette in Namur.
2024 juillet
Establishment of the exhibition on the City of Lafayette at the Square de la Francophonie in Namur.
2024 juillet
Visit to Namur by the Mayor of Lafayette as part of the 21 July national celebrations.
2025 octobre
Visit to Lafayette by the Acting Mayor of Namur during the Festival Acadien & Créole.
