Calling all budding photographers – take part in the #b4friendship photo competition to celebrate 75 years of Reading and Düsseldorf friendship

BUDDING photographers are invited to take part in a competition to imaginatively capture Reading’s 4Bs, to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of friendship between Düsseldorf and Reading, with a chance to win a weekend away in Düsseldorf.

2022 marks 75 years of friendship between Düsseldorf and Reading, which were officially twinned together in 1977. The special bond and friendship between the towns stretches back to just after WW2, when the then-mayor, Phoebe Cusden, saw the devastation in Germany and invited young people to stay in Reading. This represents the longest friendship between two towns/cities in Europe.

This competition is open to amateurs and professionals alike, under the theme of the 4Bs - "Beer, Biscuits, Bulbs & Bricks" for which Reading is historically famous. We are looking for people, young and old, to imaginatively capture the 4Bs around Reading. Entries can be in the form of one photo or a montage of several images.

You can email your entries to events@reading.gov.uk or tag them on the Council’s social media @ReadingCouncil – Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, including the hashtag #b4friendship

The deadline for entries is Friday 24 June 2022.

Louisa Dean, Reading Council’s Head of Communications, said: “The special connection between our two cities began with our former Mayor Phoebe Cusden, who initiated the exchange of young people in 1947. Phoebe Cusden is still highly regarded by Düsseldorf and her endeavours to help and support the city have never been forgotten.

"Since then, our twinning has enabled a multitude of friendships to blossom. This year we mark the 75 anniversary of this special relationship – the perfect opportunity to celebrate the long history of our friendship and cooperation, built up and supported by the Reading Düsseldorf Association.

“I encourage all local photographers – young and old, amateur or professional, to get snapping and capture the essence of the 4Bs in Reading. Your photographs will form part of the celebrations here in Reading and in Düsseldorf during June.”

Two special reciprocal visits are planned for June 2022, with representatives from Reading visiting Düsseldorf over the weekend of 10-12 June to take part in celebrations in the German town. On 25 and 26 June, visitors from Düsseldorf will come to Reading to take part in celebrations here.

Entrants from Düsseldorf will also take part in the competition, to win a visit to Reading.

For more information on the celebrations visit www.reading.gov.uk/b4friendship