In May 2025, we welcomed visitors from Annecy and Gӧttingen to the Jazz Festival. It was the first time we have welcomed both towns to participate in the Jazz Festival, thanks to Ian George and Andrew Lansley of Cheltenham Festivals.
The Annecy delegation comprised four young jazz musicians from the Annecy Conservatoire, Rémy Varaine of the Annecy Conservatoire, Samuel Dixneuf, Deputy Mayor of Annecy, Maude Poensin-Caillat, Cultural Events Officer City of Annecy, Renaud Kressman, President of Les Carrés Association and Jocelyne Quéau, Member of Les Carrés Association.
The Gӧttingen delegation included Onyekachi Oshionwu, Deputy Mayor of Gӧttingen, Dr Klaas Kunst, Head of International Relations and three jazz musicians.
It was a hugely successful weekend which included the four young musicians from Annecy performing on the Free Stage in Imperial Gardens and the Gӧttingen jazz musicians performing with the Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra also on the Free Stage and at Smokey Joes. There was also time for working meetings with both towns to plan ahead for the future and for our partner towns to hear from and engage with local organisations such a Springbank Community Group, Cheltenham BID, Planet Cheltenham, Friend of Sandford Park and Cheltenham Paint Festival. A great weekend full of international friendship, culture and collaboration and a huge thanks to Cheltenham Festivals.
Cheltenham International Partnerships 