High Wycombe considers twinning with Ukrainian city Zhytomyr
Town committee hears proposal to twin with Zhytomyr, a Ukrainian city with shared cultural and industrial ties.
High Wycombe could soon be twinned with Zhytomyr, a city in western Ukraine, following a proposal shared at a recent meeting of the High Wycombe Town Committee.
Committee chair Cllr Ed Gemmell said a local man had already spoken to officials in Zhytomyr, who were open to the idea. Cllr Gemmell said he would ask for more details to be brought back before any decision is made.
If approved, Zhytomyr would become Wycombe’s second twin town. The town has been twinned with Kelkheim in Germany for over 40 years, both towns share a strong heritage in the furniture industry. Similarly, Zhytomyr also has a long history of woodworking, as well as significant cultural and industrial similarities with Wycombe.
Cllr Gemmell said:
“We’ve had an entrepreneurial gentleman speak to Zhytomyr and suggest twinning, based on shared industries and regional importance.”
Town twinning was introduced after World War Two to promote peace, cultural exchange, and international cooperation. A link with Zhytomyr could help foster friendship, mutual learning, and solidarity.
The proposal is still in early stages. A formal motion would need to be approved by the town committee before any twinning can take place.