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Duisburg, Germany

Twinned with Portsmouth since 1950

Duisburg is a German city of over 500,000 people located close to Dusseldorf in the North-Rhine Westphalia region. Its inland port is the largest in the world. The traditional trades of coal, steel and shipping are now joined by lighter industry. Duisburg is known for its green parks, lakes and outdoor leisure facilities, its culture (having its own opera company, many museums and art galleries), and the famous König Brewery.   The link with Duisburg is the second oldest Anglo-German twinning. Portsmouth City Council suggested the twinning as an act of reconciliation, so that the post-war reconstruction would see not only buildings but also relations between our people rebuilt. In 1950 the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Sir Denis and Lady Peggy Daley, signed the Golden Book of Duisburg at their Town Hall.  Since then, the Lord Mayor has made annual visits to the city.

It is estimated that over 70,000 have taken part in exchanges between our cities. These have included groups from schools and colleges, adult education, musicians and artists, members of social and drama clubs, and many sports and social clubs.     

The Duisburg-Portsmouth Friendship Committee

The Committee is made up of 5 Councillors, 3 Supporting Officers from different departments of the City Council and volunteer representatives from outside bodies.  The Lord Mayor is President of the Committee.

The committee encourages and supports new exchange links, such as exchanges between sports organisations which take place regularly between the two cities. Known exchanges include table tennis, hockey, tennis and youth football. Exchanges are currently being established for squash, sailing and rowing.

Work Placements - students from the Albert Einstein Gymnasium have been assisted by Leisure Services and Personnel to find work placements in Portsmouth

The following schools are known to have an exchange programme with their counterparts in Duisburg:

• City of Portsmouth Girls School
• Portsmouth High School
• Priory School
• St Edmund's R C School
• Springfield School

Below you will also find copies of the Duisburg magazine, please remember that this is in German.

• Duisburg Magazine 77 - November 2006  (0.82 MB)

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