Bristol Hannover Council

In mid-July we had a bevy of visitors from Hannover: first to arrive were a group of 15 photo-journalists led by Prof. Rolf Nobel of the Technical University in Hannover. Bristol was the latest subject of their project ‘Lumix’ which takes them to a different city every two years, where they photograph many aspects of life there, and then show a selection of 100+ images in an exhibition back in Hannover. A recent city so exhibited was Bangkok. The group had a briefing here at City Hall, attended the Gay Pride rally in Queen Square, were received by the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House, attended the opening of an exhibition of photo-portraits from the National Portrait Gallery in M Shed, visited Bath and spent many hours every day combing the streets of Bristol for images which typified life in Bristol. The exhibition will be held in the Rathaus in Hannover from January 25th-February 23rd 2014.

During the same week, we were delighted to welcome Janika Millan of the Cultural Office of Hannover City Council, who is responsible for Hannover’s twinnings, and was here to meet up with members of the City Council to discuss economic and environmental links, and to advertise a conference on Sustainability and Culture in Hannover in September. She was also very keen to meet the many groups which are engaged in partnership links with groups in Hannover: Ariel Rowing Club, Exultate Singers, Cotham School, Bristol Junior Chamber, Kelvin Players, Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra – and there are plans for various specific celebrations of the 300th anniversary of the Hannoverian accession, including concerts, drama presentations and football and rugby matches. Janika was amazed at how much enthusiasm there is currently in Bristol for partnering with Hannover!

---