On Wednesday 9th May, to mark Europe day, Oxford and the Italian city of Padua formally acknowledged and supported the friendship between the two cities.
Representatives from Oxford City Council and the University of Oxford hosted a delegation from Padua, which included representatives from the Padua University. The delegation signed a memorandum, recognising the strong links between the two cities.
Councillor Jean Fooks, Lord Mayor of Oxford, said, “I am delighted that we have agreed to develop the friendship between Padua and Oxford, involving both city and university links.  We have much in common and will both benefit from strengthening our connections. It was a great pleasure to host the Padua delegation in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour.”
Amidst the climate of Brexit, Councillor John Tanner, Chair of the Oxford León Association, added: “Whatever happens in the Brexit talks Oxford City Council is determined to build ever closer links with cities in the rest of Europe. We are thrilled to meet with representatives of the ancient city of Padua, Italy on Europe Day. Oxford City Council is flying the European Union flag to mark Europe Day and our new friendship with Padua. The United Kingdom is still a member of the EU so for now this is the common flag of both Padua and Oxford.”
Oxford University and UniversitĂ degli Studi di Padova are currently tied through the Sub-Faculty of Italian at Oxford and italianistica at the University of Padua.Â
