Ipswich Borough Council is delighted to announce the successful switch-on of the first-ever Portal in the United Kingdom, the fifth Portal worldwide, now live in Ipswich’s historic Cornhill. Designed as a window between distant countries and cultures, the Ipswich Portal now offers residents and visitors a way to meet people from around the world.
Unveiled at 1pm on Tuesday 22 October, the Ipswich Portal connects to a growing network of identical Portals, currently located in Vilnius (Lithuania), Lublin (Poland), Dublin (Ireland) and Philadelphia (United States). Together, they serve as a bridge to a united planet, inviting communities around the world to meet and share cultures, beyond the borders of our countries.
Ipswich is ranked among the top 10 UK locations for start-ups and has the fifth-fastest growing economy in the country, the Portal shines an international spotlight on Ipswich as a place of innovation, culture and investment. Through events, partnerships and community storytelling, the Portal will continue to strengthen local pride while offering Ipswich a unique role in a growing global network that celebrates unity, culture and human connection.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said:
“I’m delighted that we’re the first place in the UK to welcome this innovative sculpture, which has been hugely successful elsewhere. The Portal brings people together from other countries as a window into our vibrant town centre, so we can see other cultures and connect with families and other people across the globe. We can’t wait to see everyone and I know residents will be curious to peek into other countries for free, without having to travel from their home town.”
Benediktas Gylys, founder of Portals Organization, said:
“Portals, with their invitation to see each other past borders and labels, stand on the shoulders of people - our global community of supporters. Each city that joins Portals by launching their own sculpture brings its own history, culture, and energy to the family. Ipswich’s rich heritage and British character add something truly special. Only together can we build the bridge to a united planet that Portals aim to embody.”
The Portal is more than a technology art sculpture, it's a window into distant countries - bringing together people who would otherwise never meet in their lifetime. It is part of the Digital Ipswich project within the Ipswich Towns Deal, funded by the UK government, to support digital place-making, using innovations to modernise Ipswich’s town centre with interactive and inclusive experiences.
In the coming months, the first-ever Portals will launch in South America with its debut in Piauí (Brazil) and Asia with the location to be announced shortly, further expanding the global Portals Network connecting people across the globe.
About portals.org
Portals share an invitation to meet fellow humans above borders and prejudices and to experience our home – planet Earth – as it really is: united and one. Based in Vilnius and Berlin, Portals.org partners with cities, governments, and private organizations to build Portals worldwide. Since their inauguration in 2021, Portals have grown into a global network that serves as a bridge to a united planet.
