Wilhelmshaven, Germany and Norfolk became sister cities in 1976. Wilhelmshaven, located on the North Sea, is
a deep water harbor city with a population of approximately 90,000. The city was founded in 1869 by King Wilhelm I of Prussia and later became the principal naval port of the German Reich. Much of the
city was destroyed by Allied bombs during World War II, but was rebuilt into a modern industrial city and cosmopolitan seaport. Wilhelmshaven is surrounded by flat, green farmlands, windmills, and dikes, and is known as
"Green City by the Sea."
Norfolk Sister City Association oversees multiple programs with counterparts in Wilhelmshaven, including:
- Annual Summer Youth Exchange Program with Wilhelmshaven since 1978
- Exchanges of Norfolk Public School teachers and university professors
- International Engineering Design challenge competitions between Old Dominion University and
Facchochschule Wilhelmshaven since 1993
- Intensive summer courses at Old Dominion University's English Language Center
- Cultural exchange of ballroom dancers with the Wilhelmshaven Blau Silber Dance Club
- Sports exchanges between Wilhelmshaven soccer teams and Norfolk Youth Soccer League
- First YMCA Partnership Agreement in 1995 between Wilhelmshaven CVJM and YMCA of South
Hampton Roads
- Special Adult Delegation to Wilhelmshaven for 20th Anniversary celebrations and presentation of a "Norfolk Mermaid" to the citizens of Wilhelmshaven from the NSCA on behalf of the citizens
of Norfolk
CContact the Wilhelmshaven Committee via Andrea Machesney at germanchick@cox.net
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