Liverpool to celebrate 60 years twinned with Cologne
Liverpool is to turn its attentions to Europe’s biggest economy, in an attempt to boost trade and investment.
A host of events are to take place in both Liverpool and Germany to celebrate 60 years since the city was twinned with Cologne.
There will be a “Liverpool week” in the Westphalia city, with the aim of boosting trade with Europe’s economic powerhouse.
A report to go before city leaders states that, while “German investment in the city region is already significant”, more can be done.
Germany is identified by the council as one of the four “priority international opportunities” for Liverpool, alongside China, the USA and India.
The two cities will team up for a major tourism drive, hoping to increase the flow of visitors between them, as well as a “Pop In Cologne” week, later in the year, which will see bands from Liverpool perform in the German city.
It is also hoped that the apprentice exchange scheme, which started in 2010, will continue, with more young people spending time working in industry in the other city.
Council bosses will also work with their counterparts in Germany to devise joint bids for European funding.
Cllr Wendy Simon, cabinet member for culture and tourism, said; “Over the decades we have been twinned with Cologne, we have developed business, educational and cultural links, and next year’s anniversary is a great opportunity to build on and strengthen those links. We have a programme which will not only increase the economic activity between the two cities but forge greater friendship.”
The relationship was reaffirmed in 2002 when the then council leader, Cllr Mike Storey, and Cologne mayor Fritz Schramma re-signed the pact.
The European Capital of Culture year saw performances by German artists in Liverpool, and, in 2009, a major piece of work by Cologne artist Angie Hiesl, Twins, at the Bluecoat.
The twinning agreement was first signed in 1952, when both cities were rebuilding themselves in the aftermath of World War II. Cologne – or Koln, as it is known in German – was so heavily bombed by the Allies that architect Rudolph Schwarz described it as “the world’s greatest heap of rubble”.
It is thought that the twinning of Liverpool and Cologne was the first of its kind between a UK and German city in the post-war period.
A report to go before city bosses states that: “Our aim is to use the range of relationships Liverpool has in Germany, but, in particular, the 60th anniversary of our twin city relationship with Cologne, to develop a programme to promote Liverpool using Cologne and its region as a major platform for delivering our activity.
“Our long-standing relationship has allowed strong partnerships to develop between the institutions of the two cities, particularly the arts organisations and the churches.
“These relationships have enabled a number of collaborations to take place.
“The performance of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, in both cities, by the cathedral choirs, being just one example.
“At the economic level, there is increasing co-operation. In July, 2009, the Mayor of Cologne led an economic delegation to Liverpool aimed at promoting business and tourism opportunities in Cologne.”
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