Twinning is the establishment of a special relationship between two communities in different countries. The twinned towns often have some physical, cultural and / or economic similarities.
The relationship enables the towns involved to exchange knowledge on a wide range of matters including cultural activities, environmental action and the improvement of language skills. It also opens possibilities for the creation of trade links and the sharing of expertise. Twinning should enrich the life of the community and promote racial and religious tolerance, international understanding and respect for others.
Nantes - France
Cardiff has been twinned with Nantes since 1963. Nantes is the capital of the Pays de la Loire, located at the heart of a regional population of more than 500,000, and, with St Nazaire, forms the main metropolitan area of Western France.
Hordaland County - Norway
Cardiff has been linked with Hordaland County Council in Norway since 1996. The population of the area is 450,000, and the main town is historic Bergen (241 000), which is Norway’s second largest city.
Stuttgart - Germany
Cardiff has been twinned with Stuttgart since 1955. Stuttgart is the capital of Baden - Wurttemberg in south west Germany, and has a population of 590,000. It is at the heart of one of Germany’s major industrial regions.
Lugansk - Ukraine
Cardiff’s link with Lugansk dates back to 1959. Lugansk (population 550,000) is one of the largest industrial centres in Ukraine, It is a major transport hub, a university city and administrative centre.
Xiamen - China
Cardiff has been twinned with Xiamen since 1983, and was the first in the UK to undertake such a partnership with China. Xiamen is situated on the south east coast of China. It is one of China’s five Special Economic Zones, with an area of 1,516 square kilometres, and a population of 1.31 million.
ID: 2940 Revised: 15/6/2010
