Leeds marks German relationship at Dortmund Square

The German Honorary Consul, Regina Rosenthal, and Christian Klose, Investor Support Manager - Economic Development Agency Dortmund, were shown around the city centre landmark by Deputy Leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, Councillor Jonathan Pryor.

Councillor Pryor showed the visitors the recently installed place name signage and discussed the council’s plan for new wayfinding boards in the square, which celebrates Leeds’s twin city relationship with Dortmund.

Above: Dortmund Square.

Leeds has been officially twinned with Dortmund since 1969. However, the relationship dates to 1949, when the two cities started cooperating to nurture international peace, friendship, and understanding, following years of conflict between the UK and Germany.

Above: New placename signage in Dortmund Square.

Dortmund Square, which has a counterpart in its namesake city called Platz von Leeds, is set in the heart of the city centre. The square was officially renamed in 1980 to celebrate the success of the partnership between Leeds and Dortmund and hosts the famous caricature sculpture, Dortmund Drayman, known locally as “barrel man”.  The bronze sculpture was a gift from the Mayor of Dortmund to the people of Leeds.

Above (L-R):  Christian Klose, Investor Support Manager - Economic Development Agency Dortmund, German Honorary Consul, Regina Rosenthal, and Deputy Leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, Councillor Jonathan Pryor

The German visitors will be joined at UKREiiF later this week by Benedikt Scholz, Director of Internationalisation & Commercial Partnerships at BVB Borussia Dortmund Football Club, who will join a panel to discuss the societal benefits from investment into stadiums, leisure facilities and global events and how these can act as a catalyst for wider investment and regeneration.

 The delegation will also be meeting representatives from Leeds United Football Club to hear firsthand the plans to develop Elland Road stadium and to participate in an interactive Leeds City Council-led event showcasing regeneration projects. 

Deputy Leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, Councillor Jonathan Pryor, said: “It was my great privilege to show Regina and Christian around Dortmund Square and to explain the council’s plans to further celebrate our two cities friendship.

“I also look forward to welcoming Benedikt Scholz from Borussia Dortmund Football Club and to gaining his insight into how the regeneration and expansion of sporting venues and leisure facilities can attract wider investment and regeneration to Leeds.

“It is always exciting to showcase how incredible Leeds is to visitors and to discuss the wide-ranging redevelopment plans that will build on Leeds’s reputation as a global city of note.”

The German Honorary Consul, Regina Rosenthal, said: “As a German living in Leeds and representing my country here, it makes me very proud to see how Leeds celebrates its Dortmund partnership, which has brought so many benefits to both cities over the years.”

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