50 years of friendship with St Petersburg

St Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia and has a population of 4.6 million. It is an international cultural centre, and amongst its many attractions is the Hermitage Museum - the largest art gallery in Russia and one of the largest and most respected art museums in the world. The historic centre of the city and its related monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Manchester and St Petersburg have a longstanding sister city link which will reach its 50 year anniversary in 2012 and a number of activities are taking place with a particular focus on celebrating cultural links including exhibitions and concerts. More information about activities and current events will be published on this page during the coming weeks.

Manchester Archives have some interesting historic photographs and documents which are available on flickr: Photos taken from the papers of Councillor Bernard Sydney Langton and are from his 1956 visit to Leningrad as well as an Autograph book of good wishes from the people of Leningrad to the people of Manchester.

A logo design competition has been run in both cities. In Manchester, Ideas Foundation ran an intensive project with Cedar Mount High School and the Manchester Creative and Media Academies to design the logo.

Past events

Manchester and St Petersburg: Sister city anniversary exhibition at the Zion Centre, Hulme, Monday 2 April to Sunday 15 April.

Photography exhibition looking back at the history of the 50 year friendship between the people of Manchester and St Petersburg. The exhibition was developed by the Manchester & St Petersburg Friendship Society in partnership with MMU history students Kate Pennington and Leigh-Anne Mellor.

St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra - Manchester and St Petersburg: Celebrating 50 years as Twin Cities, Performance at the Bridgewater Hall, Sunday 1 April, 7.30pm

Manchester and St Petersburg share a passion for music and this concert will be a classical celebration of the sister city link. St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra has visited the Bridgewater Hall regularly over the years and marked the anniversary year with this special performance.

An photography exhibition of students of the Department for Design, Faculty of Arts, St Petersburg State University, entitled "Contemporary St Petersburg" was displayed in the sculpture hall of Manchester Town Hall from 2 to 15 April.  

The St Petersburg International Women's Day event at the Zion Centre, Saturday 10 March.   This half-day event was organised by the Manchester and St Petersburg Friendship Society supported by the City Council. It was a celebration and exchange of culinary, linguistic and musical skills and also introduced the work of some Russian women writers.

Links for further information

• St Petersburg Government (Committee for External Relations)
• Manchester and St Petersburg Friendship Society
• St Petersburg Association for International Cooperation

If you would like further information or would like to let us know about your own event, please contact 0161 234 1366 or email the City Policy Team.