Donetsk twin city

It is believed that Sheffield was the first UK city to officially twin with a city in the Soviet Union. Twinning began after World War 2 with the aims of promoting peace and friendship in Europe. It would later become a worldwide initiative.

Sheffield officially twinned with Stalino in 1956. The city changed its name to Donetsk in 1961. In the decades that followed, the cities exchanged official greetings, especially at New Year and on May Day. There were also regular official visits to and from the two cities. Sporting and cultural links were also developed. Sheffield named a road, Donetsk Way, in honour of its twin city around 1981. Donetsk named a public square, Sheffield Square (Shefіldskaga Square), in a similar manner.

For more information on sources at Sheffield Archives and Local Studies Library relating to Sheffield's twinning arrangement with Donetsk, download the document.

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