A bike ride in honor of the 30th anniversary of the twinning of the metropolis and the French city of Rennes ended on the Day of Almaty

 

Against the backdrop of the pandemic, instead of joint visits, a bike ride was performed by 44-year-old Laurent Maheu.

 

Today Laurent Mahe finished the bike ride and arrived in Almaty, having traveled 9 thousand kilometers in 3.5 months and visited 15 countries. The traveler was met at the entrance to the city by cyclists from the continental Almaty Cycling Team, who escorted him to the Independence Monument of Kazakhstan, where he received a warm welcome from the city administration.

 

Deputy Akim of Almaty Yerzhan Babakumarov noted that twinning between Almaty and Rennes began at the dawn of independence, in 1991. From year to year, bilateral relations are becoming stronger. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation is actively developing, mutual Days of Culture, exhibitions, concerts are held, for over 20 years exchange visits of the Rennes and Almaty families have been carried out, allowing to learn the life and traditions of each other, cooperation has been organized between the schools of our cities. 5 years ago, in honor of the 25th anniversary of twinning in the garden "Almaty" in Rennes, a bust of the great Kazakh philosopher and thinker Abai was opened.

 

In turn, cyclist Laurent Maheu read a letter from the mayor of the city of Rennes Natalie Appéré.

 

“The human and sporting feat accomplished by Mr. Laurent Maheu in the context known to us is a great lesson in courage and friendship for the residents of Rennes and Almaty,” the letter says. "I wish you all a happy Almaty Day."

“The city of Rennes is full of wishes to further strengthen relations with Almaty, which have existed for about 30 years. Laurent Maheu's feat is the clearest evidence of this. Let's be friends, ”said the Consul General of France Alexis Shakhtakhtinsky.

 

Aigul Kasymbek, vice-president of the "Almaty-Rennes Friendship Society and the Cities of the World", shared about the measures being implemented to strengthen friendship between the two cities. For example, in Almaty schools and universities, work is underway to develop the study of the French language.

 

It should be noted that since the age of 15, Laurent Maheu dreamed of seeing and traveling along the Great Silk Road.

 

“As I arrived in Kazakhstan, everything is going well. I was in the cities of Shymkent, Taraz, Turkestan, Chu and I want to say that the Kazakhs welcome me very warmly. When I was in Europe, it rained a lot, at times I got caught in the snow. But having arrived in Kazakhstan, all the difficulties and bad weather were left behind. I had three goals for a bicycle trip - 30 years of friendship between the cities of Rennes - Almaty, the 30th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan and a long-standing dream to see your country live, ”said Laurent Mahe.