We’ve always wanted a twin. A best friend from birth, someone who knows exactly what we’re always thinking – that’s what it’s like, right? But we’ve never been as greedy as Bristol, which has seven twin cities – a concept that took off after WW2 and further grew in popularity with the formation of the EU.
It collected its first two (Bordeaux and Hannover) shortly after the Second World War in 1947, to help promote long-term cultural and commercial bonds between these places. More recently, a Sister City agreement was signed with Guangzhou in 2001. With each city as unique and varied as Bristol itself, we wanted to look at all of our twin cities.
1. Bordeaux
Twinned since 1947, The Bristol Bordeaux Partnership (BBP) has seen thousands of secondary school students take part in exchanges to France over the years. This port city is world-famous for its wine and is home to La Cite du Vin, the world’s first wine museum. You’ll also want to visit Bordeaux’s hundreds of historical sites – second only to Paris for most listed or registered monuments in France. Visitors should especially check out the 37,100 sq ft mirror pool (Miroir d’eau) in front of the Place de la Bourse.
2. Hannover
The Bristol-Hannover Council (founded in 1947) manages numerous initiatives between the two cities – from street art and athlete exchanges to an annual Christmas Market lunch. Home to the largest urban city forest in Germany, Hannover is a very ‘green’ city, alongside numerous gardens and parks. The city is rich in architecture as well.
3. Porto
Many years went by until Bristol twinned with Oporto (aka Porto) in 1984. The Bristol Oporto Association (BOA) organises, funds and promotes many Portuguese-themed events/projects in Bristol – from street artists at Upfest to ‘Portugal Day’ in Bristol schools. As the second largest city in Portugal, Porto is famous for its azulejos, Port wine, and for being a UNESCO World Heritage site.
4. Tbilisi
The twinning between Tbilisi and Bristol was established in 1988, with the Bristol Tbilisi Association organising an annual Georgian feast (or supra) every year. The capital of Georgia is over 1,500 years old but is best known as an up-and-coming nightlife hotspot. Home to the hottest clubs in Eastern Europe, it’s also known as a budget-friendly destination and for its unique and colourful architecture.
5. Puerto Morazan
Stepping outside of Europe, Bristol Link with Nicaragua has developed closer ties between the two cities since 1989. One of the region’s poorest countries, BLINC develops and fundraises numerous solidarity, education and healthcare projects in Nicaragua. Unlike the other places on this list, Puerto Morazán isn’t even a city, but a municipality in the largely agricultural region of Chinandega.
6. Beira
Similarly, Bristol Link with Beira (since 1990) has supported numerous healthcare and community projects in Mozambique. Beira has a population size similar to Bristol, but situated in the ‘Cyclone Corridor’, is vulnerable to extreme weather events. As climate change worsens, BLB has grown its focus on climate justice. This low-lying port city is “one of the world’s most at-risk cities for climate disasters.”
7. Guangzhou
The latest addition among Bristol’s twin cities, Guangzhou signed a Sister City agreement in 2001. With a population roughly 30x the size of Bristol’s, it might come as a bit of a surprise but the aim is to encourage greater understanding (and business links) between China and the UK. The world-famous Cantonese cuisine came out of Guangzhou (think chow mein, char siu, and wontons).