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Plymouth and its Twin Towns
Few of us can have failed to notice signs by the roadside proclaiming "...twinned with..." throughout the United Kingdom. But, how many of us actually know what "twinning" is or understand the background to this activity, which is expanding at a truly remarkable pace.
The term "twinning" has become the means by which we describe a special relationship between two communities, usually in different countries, where those communities have identified common interests and hopes.
Whilst there are many long established links between places sharing a special historical heritage, most twinning arrangements have come about since World War II when people, tired of conflict in Europe, sought to build new contacts and friendships with a view to promoting a better understanding of each other in the future.
This idea rapidly spread through Europe to become world-wide. Over the last 35 years Plymouth has entered into four formal twinning arrangements.
Although some of the links are arguably more active than others, all of them have contributed in various ways to raising the profile of Plymouth internationally and have provided countless opportunities for Plymouth people of all ages, to experience different languages and cultures.
The role of the City Council is very much one of bringing people together, providing help and advice where needed and accepting the principal promotional responsibility.
These article gives a brief view of Plymouth's twin cities together with contact points for those wanting more information.
Brest, France 1963
In 1963, Plymouth took its first of many steps in the 'twinning arena' by twinning with Brest on the North Western coast of Brittany, France.
The exceptional setting of the deep and protected natural harbour was the main reason for the birth of the city in the 17th century and quickly encouraged its strategic military importance. The reason was also the cause of its destruction during the siege of the city in September 1944.
Reconstructed after the war, Brest with its current population of 220,000 is a large university city with six colleges, six major engineering schools, 25,000 students and 1,500 research scientists.
Gdynia, Poland 1976
In 1976, Plymouth's already well earned reputation for friendly international links took a change of direction eastwards when it entered into a twin city agreement with Gdynia on the Polish Baltic Coast. Unlike Plymouth, Gdynia was a relatively new City, having only been established in 1926.
Associations between the cities however went back to the Second World War with close Naval ties and a large expatriate community in Plymouth. With a population of around 250,000 Gdynia is a progressive and cosmopolitan city forming with neighbouring Sopot and Gdansk what has become known as the 'Troj-Miasta' or 'Tri-City'.
The links between the cities are very active and the collapse of Communism, abolition of visa requirements and availability of frequent and relatively inexpensive transport resulted in significant numbers of visitors to and from the respective cities.
Novorossiysk, Russia 1990
With the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains as a scenic back drop Novorossiysk, with its pleasant sub-tropical climate, sits on a deep sheltered bay at the Northern end of a string of Russian Black Sea Resorts. Since the break up of the USSR Novorossiysk has become Russia's most significant Black Sea Port.
The City handles 50% of Russia's Oil Exports, plus timber, coal, grain and cement. The port has 25 berths, with scores of ships anchored in the bay. Plans exist to expand the capacity of the port to 58. The City which has a population of 200,000 people, is also a base port for the Ocean Going Fishing Fleet and the Novorossiysk Shipping Company (Novoship) which primarily operated tankers and bulk carriers around the world.
There are two cement factories and other important economic activities include ship repair, food processing, production of tractor components, garments and wines. Some of Russia's best 'Champagne' wine is produced from local vines in the nearby village of Abrau-Dyurso. Plymouth has had informal links with Novorossiysk since the late 1940's. The agreement to Twin was completed in Novorossiysk in 1990.
San Sebastian, Spain 1990 (pictured above)
San Sebastion is arguably the most picturesque of Plymouth's four twin cities. Situated in the Basque region of Northern Spain close to the French Border, it lies at the foot of three hills.
Monte Igueldo to the West, Monte Urgull at the centre and Monte Ulia to the East and in turn, these hill encompass three sheltered beaches. With a population approaching 180,000, San Sebastian is a calm, quiet city set in beautiful countryside, boasting as it does numerous peaceful mountain beauty spots only a few minutes away from the bustling city centre.
It also enjoys a mild climate all through the year with an average summer temperature of 22 degrees C. Like Plymouth, San Sebastian has a rich and colourful maritime history and is also a popular centre for sailing.
It was as a result of this activity, that the two communities came together, following the introduction of the biennial Armada Cup Yacht Race.
This fostered a long period of friendship between the two cities, which involved mutual exchange visits, that came to a peak in 1988 when Plymouth commemorated the 400th anniversary of the Spanish Armada. In 1990, the formal twinning agreement between the two cities was duly signed.
For further information on Plymouth's Twin City activities please contact :
Committee Support Unit Corporate Resources Service
Civic Centre Plymouth PL1 2EW
tel: 01752 304484
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