Appeal for ‘Voices of Friendship’ stories to celebrate 50 year of Osnabruck twinning

People celebrating in Derby Market Place

Derby Local Studies and Family History Library is calling on residents to share their personal stories, memories, and photos of Derby’s historic connection with Osnabrück, Germany.

The library is inviting people to contribute material for the ‘Voices of Friendship’ project, which is part of Derby’s 50:50 celebrations, a momentous double-milestone marking both the 50th anniversary of the Derby-Osnabrück twinning partnership and the anniversary of Derby officially achieving its city status.

It will create a lasting archive that captures the real human connections forged between the two cities over the last five decades. They want to hear from anyone who has been part of this international friendship, whether you visited Osnabrück on a school, sports, or cultural exchange, travelled there for a holiday, or opened your own home to welcome German visitors.

The 'Voices of Friendship' archive will preserve these shared moments of hospitality, laughter, and cross-generational connections, making them available online for future generations to explore and enjoy.

If you have a story to share, you can submit it directly using the online form. Alternatively, record a short video or audio clip on your smartphone and email it to localstudies.library@derby.gov.uk.

The Local Studies and Family History Library team will also be at the Derby Market Hall during the Osnabrück Day in Derby celebrations on Saturday 6 June, so pop by and they will help you contribute your story to the collection.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council, said:

“Fifty years of twinning is an incredible milestone, and at the heart of this connection lies the personal friendships formed between the people of Derby and Osnabrück over the decades.

“We want to capture the laughter, the exchanges, and the lasting impressions that official documents simply can’t show. By contributing your 'Voices of Friendship', you are helping us preserve a living history of international connection that future generations can look back on and enjoy.”

All the memories shared will be compiled into a commemorative bound volume which will become part of the library’s permanent collection. This will be available for public viewing later this year, while a digital version will be included in the online archive ‘Derby’s History’ in 2027.

Osnabruck Day in Derby on Saturday 6 June will launch a year of activity for the city’s 50:50 celebrations. The June event will bring together a mix of live music, performance, hands-on workshops, and creative art installations celebrating dance and global traditions. With free, family-friendly activities and lively street spectacles, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. For more information go to the Visit Derby website.