Twinned since 1950
Portsmouth’s 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 the two nations rebuilt. In 1950 the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Sir Denis and Lady Peggy Daley, signed the Golden Book of Duisburg at the city’s Town Hall.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Portsmouth-Duisburg Twinning, the Mayor of Duisburg and a delegation visited the city. A collection of German books were unveiled at Portsmouth Central Library and a competition held for school children to design a logo for the anniversary. In return, the Dickens Society was invited to Duisburg alongside the Lord Mayor to do some re-enactments and readings.
Since 1950, the Lord Mayor has made annual visits to the city and many exchanges have taken place between our cities including groups from schools, colleges, adult education, musicians and artists, members of social and drama clubs, and more recently Portsmouth has sent a team to take part in Duisburg’s annual Dragonboat Regatta.