Barcelona and Manchester may be famous around the world for having football in common but it is really a well-known figure from history that is close to both their hearts.
The famous figure of St George is patron saint of both Manchester and Catalonia and in recognition of this, special St George's Day greetings have been sent from the Catalan capital of Barcelona to the people of Manchester.
In keeping with Catalonian celebrations to mark St George's Day, where the romantic custom is to exchange roses and books on what is considered to be a day of love, representatives from the country have sent a beautifully illustrated book about Barcelona's architecture to Manchester City Council. It was sent with a personal letter from the head of the Catalonian delegation in the UK.
Manchester is renowned for celebrating St George's Day like no other city in England and has a jam-packed weekend of festivities planned, mirrored in Barcelona where people will also take to the streets to celebrate. Barcelona's Festival of Diverse Cities includes a Jubilee Market and street performers set to a soundtrack of both English and Catalan folk music.
In Manchester, from Friday 23 April until Sunday 25 April, the special St George's Day market will be in Piccadilly Gardens, and the St George Festival will be held in Albert Square.
The St George Festival in front of the Town Hall will include musical and theatrical entertainment, vintage vehicles, an English themed pub, arts and crafts and various food and drink stalls.
A special banquet, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Alison Firth, will be held at Manchester Town Hall on Friday evening for everyone involved in this weekend's celebrations, including organisers, stall holders and performers, and the letter from the Government of Catalonia will be read to everyone in attendance.
The climax of the St George's Day celebrations in Manchester will be on Sunday 25 April, with the fantastic St George's Day Parade. Attracting thousands of people every year, the parade is a guaranteed family-friendly spectacle full of famous faces from English history, floats, music, colour and performances.
The parade will begin at Varley St in Miles Platting at 11.30am before snaking its way into the city centre along Oldham Road and Oldham Street to Piccadilly Gardens where the Lord Mayor of Manchester will take a salute.
The parade will then continue on its way along Newton Street, Great Ancoats Street, Butler Street and Bradford Road before returning to Varley Street for the finish.
Manchester's connection with Barcelona is one of many friendships the city has with others around the world and this weekend will cement that relationship as the shared celebrations get underway.