Bristol celebrates 75 years of connections with Bordeaux and Hannover

This year sees the 75th anniversary of Bristol’s two oldest twinning relationships.

Bordeaux in France and Hannover in Germany both started their partnerships with Bristol in 1947 in the dark days following the Second World War. The twinnings were agreed in a spirit of reconciliation and friendship with the aim of building a stronger Europe and avoiding any future conflicts.

To mark this special year, the celebrations will include a range of public events and exchanges as well as official delegations and citizen visits.

Image - Representatives from Bristol Bordeaux Partnership, Bristol Hannover Council, West of England Combined Authority and Visit West celebrating the 75^th anniversary.

The Bristol Bordeaux Partnership (BBP) and the Bristol-Hannover Council (BHC) are taking a leading role working closely with the Guild of Guardians and Bristol City Council to pull together an exciting programme for the year.

Some of the highlights will include:

• artists from Bordeaux and Hannover taking part in UPFest along with free children’s’ art and craft activities based on the artists style and palette plus a free “meet the artists” event
• a Second World War training boat from Hannover taking part in the Bristol Harbour Festival
• posters exhibited on College Green of Hannover parks and Bristol’s green spaces appearing on giant planters around Hannover.
• the launch of the free Bordeaux Learning Pack for all primary schools in the city and Bordeaux trainee teachers working in some of our local primaries delivering French
• a Hannover junior football club visiting the city on tour and playing against Ashton FC
• a three-way rowing exchange with clubs from Bristol and Hannover competing in Bordeaux
• Cotham Park rugby club hosting Hannover’s Victoria Linden RFC, Germany’s top club side.
• Bristol Festival of Voice at St George’s screening Bordeaux and Hannover choirs
• a youth exchange with Young Bristol taking a group to Hannover for an activities-based visit around street art
• the Mayor of Hannover visiting Bristol to collaborate on shared urban challenges and to visit the Harbour Festival
• a Bristol delegation taking part in Bordeaux’s Remembrance Days event sharing approaches in both cities around the memorialisation of slavery and colonialism
• a wine tasting event at Averys wine merchants with Bordeaux, Hannover and Bristol wines
• the unveiling of a twin cities signpost on College Green

Vanessa Moon, former Master of the Guild of Guardians, is Chair of the combined Bordeaux and Hannover groups who are planning these celebrations. Vanessa said: “How wonderful to be celebrating the 75^th anniversary of our twinning with Bordeaux and Hannover. Being twinned is so important for us in Bristol, not only because of the wonderful history between all our cities but also the fact that it engenders a rich sense of belonging and community, which extends beyond national borders. We also celebrate our rich cultures and promote educational and business opportunities.”

Dr Ann Kennard, Chair of the BHC, added: “As one of the oldest and most active twinnings in the country, we are thrilled to be able to celebrate again with our Hannover partners, with reciprocal visits of civic groups, youth groups, choirs, sporting groups and cultural events, demonstrating how important these partnerships are to the citizens of Bristol and Hannover, with a bright future stretching into the 21^st century”.

Thomas Sanchis, Chair of the BBP, commented: “What an exciting year! These celebrations represent the perfect opportunity to reaffirm and show the strong links unifying our three cities. Thanks to everyone’s efforts and through all our events, we will pay tribute to the long twinning history based on friendship, collaboration, exchanges and diversity. In these challenging times, shedding light on this crucial milestone is even more important. BBP and its partners are fully committed to bringing you entertaining and joyful events throughout the year. We hope to see you soon.”

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “Being able to mark these significant anniversaries is a really important part of our twinning partnerships. We’re lucky to be welcoming representatives from both Hannover and Bordeaux to our city to help us celebrate these milestones and would encourage Bristol residents to get involved as well.

“Working closely with our twin cities in France and Germany is a vital part of Bristol’s international strategy. Relationships between the cities and their people which reach out across generations, cultures and borders are even more important at a time when we’re seeing devastating conflict in other parts of Europe.

“In Bristol we are proud of the links we’ve built with our twin cities across the world and look forward to building more connections and exchanges for the future.”

For further information and contacts for interviews and press/media opportunities please contact:

Thomas Sanchis, Chair of the Bristol Bordeaux Partnership

Email: info@bristolbordeaux.org

Dr Ann Kennard, Chair of the Bristol-Hannover Council

Email: contact@bristolhannovercouncil.org.uk

For more information about the 75^th anniversary events

https://visitbristol.co.uk/inspire/all-about-bristol/twinning