World Town Twinning Week. Zaporizhzhia —Belfort: 2,612 km of gratitude

Last Sunday of April, the world celebrates Town Twinning Day. On this occasion, we send our warmest regards from Zaporizhzhia to twin cities across the world.

Zaporizhzhia and Belfort in France have been sister cities since 1967. In fact, France was one of the first countries to support Ukraine’s independence and state sovereignty. Every year, hundreds of performers from all over the world come to Belfort to join the International Festival of University Music (FIMU). Musicians from Zaporizhzhia visited this festival several times, too.

Before the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the French city always welcomed delegations from Zaporizhzhia. Among them, in particular, were students of School No. 50, which has a long-term friendship and cooperation with Belfort. We hope to restore this tradition of guest visits after Ukraine’s Victory. And here, in Zaporizhzhia, we have a street named after our twin city, Belforskyi Boulevard.

We sincerely thank the city administration and the citizens of Belfort for their solidarity and support of Ukraine’s sovereignty. We believe the friendship between our cities will last a long time and only grow stronger. On behalf of the people of Zaporizhzhia, we wish your beautiful city peace and happiness, the most joyful present and a prosperous future.