Ipswich has been associated with Arras since the First World War when many men from Ipswich and Suffolk were stationed and fought in the area.
The friendship was formalised in 1993 by the signing of a Charter of Cooperation by Ipswich Borough Council and the Ville d’Arras.
Ipswich Borough Council is proud to recognise its enduring relationship with the Ipswich - Arras Association, a local organisation dedicated to creating friendship and cultural exchange between Ipswich and its twin town, Arras in northern France.
This partnership, rooted in the 1993 Accord between the two towns, has flourished over the decades, with the Ipswich - Arras Association offering a vibrant programme of events that bring French culture and community spirit to life in Suffolk.
The Ipswich - Arras Association provides:
The Mayor of Ipswich plays a key role in maintaining and celebrating this international friendship. In recent years, the Mayor has participated in exchange visits and cultural ceremonies in Arras, including the unveiling of a commemorative fresco that symbolises the bond between the two towns. Such events not only honour our shared history but also reinforce the Council’s commitment to international cooperation, education, and community enrichment.
Ipswich Borough Council continues to support the Ipswich Arras - Association in its mission to build bridges across borders. Whether through student exchanges, cultural festivals, or civic visits, this partnership exemplifies how local government and community organisations can work together to promote peace, understanding, and mutual respect.
The historical link between Ipswich and Nettuno, Italy has its origins in religion when in 1538 the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace in Lady Lane, Ipswich was ordered to be demolished by Henry VIII and the Shrine was instead spirited away, ending up on the shores of Nettuno, Italy. A Sanctuary was built in Nettuno for the Shrine and this is where the original statue remains today, cared for by the Passionist Order of Priests.
In the 1970s pilgrimages from Ipswich to Nettuno began, and these led to a replica statue being carved in 2002 and being placed in St Mary at the Elms church, Ipswich. Since then pilgrimages to Nettuno and to Ipswich take place to visit the shrines, organised by St Mary at the Elms Church in Ipswich and Roman Catholic Leaders in Nettuno, and the Mayor of Ipswich will sometimes take part in these. A week-long festival and procession takes place each year in Nettuno to celebrate the Our Lady of Grace Shrine, and this event is attended by thousands of people.
The relationship with Nettuno was formalised with a friendship agreement signed between Ipswich Borough Council and the Comune di Nettuno in 2011. In 2023 a further replica of the original statue was produced and placed in St Pancras Roman Catholic church.
In 2014 a friendship agreement was signed between Ipswich and Wenzhou, a city in the southeast of the Zhejiang province of China. The agreement aimed to enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and Ipswich has welcomed delegations from Wenzhou regularly since 2014.
