’s new twin, where celeb sightings are commonplace and restaurant websites advertise paparazzi-free seating areas.
LA-based artist Ruben Rojas created a street art mural to mark the new relationship, which was unveiled on Brighton’s Palace Pier when the agreement was signed, while several more Santa Monica creatives brought their artistic flair to the Sussex city as part of a series of summer events.I was curious to know what could be similar about quaint, pebbly Brighton and cool, sun-kissed-and-sandy Santa Monica.
The first record of a twin town partnership goes as far back as the ninth century, between the cities of Paderborn in western Germany, and Le Mans in north-western France. They were joined by Saint Liborius, a Catholic priest born in Paderborn and resident of Le Mans until he died, when his ashes were carried 800km back home.
Most towns twin over a common bond, some obvious, and others less so. It could be a name, a similarity in size and demographics, a shared history, related industries like wine or gastronomy, trade relationships, tourism opportunities, or cultural links.