Standing together: Why twinning still matters

This year marks a very special moment for Konstanz: the reaffirmation of our twinning relationships with Richmond upon Thames and Fontainebleau. In times like these - marked by uncertainty, change, and global challenges - these longstanding bonds between cities carry more meaning than ever.

Our twinning with Richmond goes back decades. It’s rooted in a shared belief that peace, understanding and friendship are best built through direct human connection. It began as a gesture of post-war reconciliation. Today, it stands as a living commitment to European cooperation, democratic values and mutual respect.

When we think about international partnerships, we often picture formal agreements or ceremonial events. But twinning is something far more vital. It is about people. It’s about the students who visit each other’s schools and realise how much they have in common. It’s about artists who collaborate across languages and cultures. It’s about residents who meet, host, and share life experiences that stay with them for a lifetime.

Konstanz is a city where borders are a part of daily life. We sit directly on the edge of Germany and Switzerland. We see, every day, how openness, cooperation and shared responsibility can work in practice. Twinning reflects this same spirit – crossing borders, building bridges and enriching our communities from the ground up.

This reaffirmation is not just a formality. It is a signal – to our citizens, and to the wider world – that we remain committed to each other. That we believe in dialogue over division, in friendship over isolation. In an era of global challenges – climate change, social cohesion and political polarization – these partnerships are not just ‘nice to have’. They are vital. Because no city stands alone.

In Richmond, we see a city that shares many of our values: a deep respect for culture and heritage, a commitment to sustainability, and a strong sense of community. The work that is done here – between schools, artists, young people and civic groups – is a great example of what international cooperation looks like when it is rooted in real relationships.

To everyone in Richmond: thank you for the warm welcome you have extended to our delegation over the years and for the genuine friendship you continue to offer. We are proud to walk this path with you – and excited to write the next chapter of our partnership together.

Let us reaffirm this twinning not just in words, but in action. Through exchange, collaboration and trust. Because strong cities make a strong Europe – and strong friendships make all the difference.

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