Oxford's twin city links have been in the news recently, with the suspension of the one with Perm after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
But seven other links continue, with the one connecting Oxford with the German city of Bonn marking its 75th anniversary this year.
A large number of Bonn visitors were in Oxford last week to celebrate, and there will be a return visit to Bonn from August 25-28.
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It was formed in 1947 as Europe tried to rebuild friendships after six years of war and it has continued ever since.
The Oxford-Bonn link is the second oldest of Oxford’s twin city links, a year younger than the one with Leiden in the Netherlands.
These pictures from the Oxford Mail archives give a taste of the many exchanges that have taken place between people of all ages in the two cities over the years.
Picture 1 shows members of the Bonn Ehrengarde carnival band marching through Oxford during the 30th anniversary celebrations in 1977.
Bonn policeman Uwe Wentz, in Picture 2, couldn’t resist giving a helping hand to traffic when he went on patrol at Carfax with Pc Bob Francombe.
He and five fellow officers were among a party of 260 from the German city who visited Oxford in 1985.
Events that year included a photographic exhibition called Portrait of Bonn at the Central Library and a street festival in Broad Street, with stalls, competitions and German-style food.
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Picture 3 shows young footballers from Langedorf, a suburb of Bonn, who were the guests of Kennington Football Club in 1983.
Peter Schnitzler, chairman of the German club, is seen presenting the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Janet Todd, with a club pennant, bouquet and card signed by every member of the three visiting teams.
Picture 4 dates from 1974 when a German youth band visited Oxford and marched through the city centre.
In Picture 5, German fire officers in 1972 learned some of the techniques used by their colleagues in Oxford.
Three pupils from East Oxford School in Picture 6 - left to right, Jane King, Paula Sloper and Kay Lewis - are admiring paintings by Oxford and Bonn schoolchildren at Oxford Town Hall.
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The 75th anniversary programme last week included two concerts, a family fun day, an art and poetry exhibition and a performance of Haydn’s oratorio, The Seasons, by young musicians, singers and dancers from Oxford, Bonn and Oxford’s Dutch twin city of Leiden.
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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
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