On November 27, 2019, the delegation from Murmansk paid an official four-day visit to Groningen, the Netherlands. The visit was carried out within the framework of the 30th anniversary celebration of signing the Agreement (dated 20.06.1989) on the establishment of twinning relations between our cities, as well as in connection with the official invitation of the mayor of Groningen, Mr. Cohen Schouling.
The commencement of the 30th anniversary of twinning celebration took place in June 2019 in Murmansk, so this visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands is considered a return one.
On November 28, a working meeting of representatives of Murmansk city Administration took place at the mayor"s office of Gronigen, in order to discuss similar issues of municipal administration and possible joint projects:
– problems of unemployment of the population;
– comfortable urban environment;
– cultural exchange and joint educational projects;
– issues of long-term and short-term strategic planning of the economy.
As part of the festive events, the delegation visited the Queen Beatrix Children"s Hospital, Pradinius Gymnasium, Freedom Forest, and Martinikerk and a Kerk Lutheran churches.
An important part of the program of the international meeting was a visit to the Queen Beatrix children"s hospital, who for many years has been actively cooperating with the Murmansk Regional Children"s Clinical Hospital. In addition, on the territory of the hospital, children"s schools in Groningen organized an exhibition of children"s drawings based on the "Tales of Alexander Pushkin". The best works were awarded with prizes and gifts from Murmansk city Administration.
The joint planting of "trees of friendship" by representatives of the twin cities has become a good and kind tradition. Now the "Forest of Liberation" of the city of Groningen is adorned with one such green space, which will be a living reminder of the strong connection between the two cities.
