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Caen, France

Twinned with Portsmouth since 1987.

The ferry service between Portsmouth and Caen opened up an opportunity to forge links between the civic authorities and the communities of the Cities of Portsmouth and Caen.  On 5 June 1987 a document was signed in the Guildhall, Portsmouth and in the Hotel de Ville, Caen on 6 June 1987, formally declaring that the two cities would undertake to foster exchanges and meetings between their respective citizens in all fields of endeavour.  It has since provided opportunities for business and commerce, social and holiday visits, particularly by young people, sports clubs and arts projects.

Each year the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth visits Caen for the D-Day Commemoration Ceremonies and lays wreaths to commemorate those civilians and military personnel who died from both Countries.  Also, Portsmouth is represented at the Caen International Fair each year in September.   The Mayor of Caen pays regular visits to Portsmouth further strengthening the ties of friendship between us.  She last visited the City for this year’s International Festival of the Sea.    

Reason / Aim of Link

To foster exchanges and meetings between citizens of both cities in all fields of endeavour.

Important trade and travel link, daily sailings from the Continental Ferry Port and the Port of Ouistreham, Caen.

Funding

The Caen Foundation exists to support young people, under the age of 20, from Portsmouth to make visits to the City of Caen.  Those groups so far assisted by the Caen Foundation consist of Junior and Senior Schools, sports clubs and arts projects.

Exchanges

Many individual links have been achieved, particularly in the areas of sport, leisure, tourism, economic issues, business and cultural activities.

There have been many other contacts and exchanges such as the Police, taxi drivers, firemen, general practitioners, the legal profession, nurses, the scouting movement etc.

A number of Portsmouth Schools have successful exchange programmes with Schools in Caen.

Portsea / Caen Exchange

- City Arts and Dot to Dot (Community Arts Organisation) organised a community cultural twinning pilot scheme, which took place between March-June 1998. Around 100 residents from Portsea and Caen took part in the initiative along with professional artists.

- The 'A Caen la Paix' festival is held annually in Caen to commemorate the end of the Second World War. A group of Portsea residents joined a group from the Folie-Couvrechef district to perform during the festival, they then returned to Portsmouth to take part in a number of workshops and the Paulsgrove Carnival. The project received 'Arts for Everyone' Lottery funding on the basis of the pilot, managed by Dot-To-Dot. Additional financial contributions from the City Council were in the region of £7,000-£8,000. This has been one of the most successful twinning projects.

More information about Caen

Caen Foundation

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