I would like to thank Caen City Councillor Morgan Taillebosq for sharing this link with me, so I can share it with you.
On their official website Caen City Council have placed this article detailing what they have in store to celebrate thirty years of twinning.
As you might expect, the article is in French, so here is a version of the article in English.
On the 5th and 6th of June 1987, the signing of the twinning charters between Caen and Portsmouth marked the beginning of a long and fruitful friendship between the two cities.
For 30 years, on each side of the channel, rich and engaging exchanges, whose main themes are peace and commemoration have continuously developed between the citizens of Caen and those of Portsmouth.
In 1985 Ian Gibson, Leader of Portsmouth City Council and the Mayor of Caen, Jean-Marie Girault both said that they wanted to establish links between the two cities. This desire was officialised in 1987 with the signing of twinning charters and a friendship treaty.
It was around the same time, on the 6th June 1986 that the first ferry crossing between Caen and Portsmouth happened. The two cities were from then on connected by a cross channel link. A pioneering way of working together anywhere in Europe!
Since then numerous common projects have been undertaken: school and student exchanges, memoryscapes, scientific, sporting and cultural projects.
Did you know? The phone box on rue Bellivet was presented to Caen on the 4th June 1987, the day before the twinning charter was signed.
Twinning in action
The setting up of an English Garden in Place Saint-Sauveur, Caen (summer 2017)
Taking part in the Southsea Show, the International Festival of the Sea and the America's Cup World Series...
Setting up European projects : "The Mysteries of Our Neighbour's Culture" and "D-Day 70" with le Mémorial de Caen, Normandy's Regional Orchestra being linked with the Portsmouth City Council Orchestra
Sporting Exchanges: The Marathon de la Liberté, The Great South Run, rugby, football…
School Exchanges : Primary Schools; Eustache Restout, Henri Brunet, les Millepertuis, le Puits Picard, Vieira da Silva, la Haie Vigné, René Lemière… and secondary schools; Guillaume de Normandie, Dunois, Saint-Paul…
Scientific co-operation between le Mémorial de Caen and the D-Day Museum in Portsmouth
The 30 Year Celebrations
Three decades after the story began, the adventures march on! In 2017 many Caen activities will wear the tint of British Blue to celebrate this anniversary as it should be celebrated.
Summer Garden "from Caen to Portsmouth"
From 2nd June to the 24th September
There is a summer garden on place Saint-Sauveur, which pays tribute to our unwavering friendship.
Guided Visits of l'Abbaye-aux-hommes
From April to September
Free Talks
The 8th June and the 19th October
Exhibition "1417-2017: Caen and Normandy in the 100 Years War"
From 24th May to 5th November in Caen Castle.
In 2016, Normandy celebrated the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings and the crowning of the Duke of Normandy who went on to become King of England in 1066.
In 2017, it is only fitting that the time has come for us to move towards a perhaps unexpected result of the Conqueror's story: The Conquest of Normandy by the English.
European Heritage Days
From the 15th to the 17th September in Caen Castle.
Come and find out all about the old arts, crafts and professions. Come and meet heritage professionals in the impressive surroundings of Caen Castle.
British Cuisine in Schools
English menus, on the 15th June in Caen schools and English pastry workshops in the Calvados inter-professional craft training centre.
"Greedy November"
In Caen, gastronomy and local produce is in the spotlight all year round, but it is in November that all the big fans of gastronomy get together to taste and to come up with ever more innovative and daring dishes.
We will invite our British neighbours to gather around Caen's table, offering them brand new taste delights will be easy as pie!
