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Operation Barbarossa: 80 Years On The link between Volgograd and Coventry remains strong today

In 1944 a bond of peace formed in the aftermath of fascist atrocities made history as the first time two cities were twinned — and the relationship continues to this day, writes LINDA HIRONS

THE aftermath of the commencement of Operation Barbarossa on June 22 1941, which ran until December that same year, led to the first officially twinned cities in the world. Coventry and Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) still maintains great links.

The friendship between Coventry and Volgograd began 80 years ago when the women of Coventry sent messages of support to the women of Volgograd. This led to the historic signed tablecloth and the official twinning in 1944.

The links between the councils have lasted and the Coventry Association for International Friendship (CAIF), people to people contacts, are stronger than ever. This last year, during the coronavirus pandemic, online contact, via Zoom, has deepened, even transformed, this.

Face to face visits are obviously important. For example the visit by the Voljanochka dance group who performed in October 2019 in the local Albany Theatre, was extremely moving.

In November 2019 the 75th anniversary of twinning was commemorated by the unveiling of the new Volgograd memorial in the city centre, attended by the Lord Mayor, councillor Linda Bigham, city councillors and visiting dignitaries from Volgograd and the Russian Embassy in London. The Lord Mayor then attended celebrations later that month in Volgograd.

In January 2020, CAIF members and the deputy leader of Coventry Council, Councillor Abdul Khan, went to Rossotrudnichestvo (the Russian Cultural Centre in Kensington) for the Stalingrad in British History exhibition. This was due to be shown in Coventry in April 2020 but was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

CAIF worked with the vice-chancellor of the Volgograd State Medical University on a message of peace to send to the United Nations during summer 2020. This took the form of a video with speeches from CAIF friends and members and a representative from Volgograd.

September 2020 saw the founding of the Coventry-Volgograd Bond of Friendship group with monthly Zoom meetings.

On April 23 2021, we held a Twin Cities Summit, when the Mayor of Volgograd, along with mayors and representatives from 14 of Coventry’s twin cities, sent video messages or emails of friendly greetings and support for our continuing friendship.

A future summit will be held on October 6 when the women of Coventry and Stalingrad, who made that first contact, will be celebrated.

Plans are being made for a digital tablecloth to be made by young people here and in Volgograd. QR codes will be printed on the fabric depicting photographs taken by young people of both cities.

Coventry is twinned with many cities and towns across the world, many born out of war — but Stalingrad was the first and our friendship remains.

Linda Hirons is secretary of the Coventry Association for International Friendship.

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