Frankfurt is situated in western Germany in the state of Hesse. With a population of approximately 700,000 it is Germany’s fifth largest city. Frankfurt represents a major economic powerhouse and transport hub as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the Frankfurt Airport are the largest of their kind in Germany. Together with this it is headquarters to a considerable number of banks, both national and international, such as Deutsche Bank AG, Commerzbank AG, KfW and DZ Bank, as well as two important central banks: European Central Bank and German Federal Bank.
Birmingham and Frankfurt 50th anniversary of partnership
With the signing of the Partnership Agreement in 1966, began an unprecedented period of collaboration between both cities that has resulted in numerous joint projects, initiatives and collaborations. One of these, and certainly the most visible to every Brummie, is the annual Frankfurt Christmas Market the city hosts since the year 2000, which has quickly become the largest authentic German Christmas Market outside Germany and Austria. The two cities also collaborate regarding education, currently Carl-Schurz-Schule and Small Heath School as well as Schule am Ried and King Edward VI Camp Hill School engage in a school exchange programme.
The 50th anniversary celebrated in 2016 was a great success and it highlighted the existing areas of collaboration and strengthen joint endeavours between the two cities, such as the long standing partnership between the University of Birmingham and the Goethe University, and of course the above mentioned Frankfurt Christmas Market among many others. Both cities took the opportunity offered by the anniversary to instigate new forms of co-operation and several new collaborations started.
Complete calendar of events organised during the anniversary year can be found here.
Gallery of photos from the events that took place earlier this year:
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Europod Sports Camp with Frankfurt and Lyon, July 2016
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Europod Sports Camp, Mike Chamberlain from Sports Birmingham speaking, July 2016
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Europod Sports Camp, July 2016
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Europod Sports Camp, July 2016
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Birmingham Literature Festival in Frankfurt, June 2016
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Birmingham writers in Frankfurt, June 2016
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European Partner cities running competition, 1 May 2016
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European Partner cities running competition, 1 May 2016
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European Partner cities running competition, 1 May 2016
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European Partner cities running competition, 1 May 2016
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The Lord mayor wellcomes the director of the Frankfurt Cathedral Choir Andreas Boltz, April 2016
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Flatpack Festival in Frankfurt and – Deutschen Filmmuseum, April 2016
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Les Trucs, Frankfurt duo invited to Flatpack Film Festival, April 2016
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Bournville Young Singers, concert in Frankfurt Cathedral, May 2016
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Bournville Young Singers, gala concert with Frankfurt Cathedral Choir, April 2016
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From the left: Charlotte Schwarzer, Imke Baasen (Goethe-Institut London), Gabriella Todaro-Grundmann (Brasshouse Languages) meeting Dalibor Markovic.
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Lynne Brackley telling the story of Rotkäppchen und der Wolf (Red Riding Hood)
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Workshops for children at Library of Birmingham organised as part of German Week
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Frank Witzel and Diego Marani in a discussion about the future of Europe, Birmingham Literature Festival
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Gabriella Todaro-Grundmann, Teaching & Learning Manager of Brasshouse Languages gives a tour of the Brasshouse to Charlotte Schwarzer (German Embassy in London) and Imke Baasen (Goethe-Institut London)
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University and the City Conference themed: Sport, Physical Activity and Grassroots Engagement – organised by UoB and Goethe University
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Mayor of Frankfurt, Peter Feldmann and Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Carl Rice
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from the left: Dr Jonathan Grix, Lord Mayor Carl Rice, Paul Michael Brannagan and Mayor of Frankfurt Peter Feldmann
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Peter Feldmann, Mayor of Frankfurt addresses the crowd before officially opening the Frankfurt Christmas Market with the Lord Mayor. Image by Ed Lawes.
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Mayor of Frankfurt, Peter Feldmann, signs Goethe’s Zur Farbenlehre (Theory of Colours).
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Birmingham City Choir performs Christmas songs in the Industrial room of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Image by Ed Lawes.
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Leader John Clancy, Mayor Peter Feldmann and Lord Mayor Carl Rice shake hands after signing the affirmation of partnership. Image by Ed Lawes. https://edlawes.com/fiftyyears/
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Lord Mayor of Birmingham attending the Anniversary Tram launch in Frankfurt, 21 December 2016
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Anniversary Tram Launch, Frankfurt December 2016
Anniversary partners and sponsors:
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