Twin cities

The Slovak city of Liptovský Mikuláš is Opava’s longest-standing partner city. The first contacts were established as early as 1964. Cooperation also takes place between organisations across both cities, for example in the fields of sport and youth activities, often without the direct involvement of the municipal authorities. Within the framework of direct relations between the cities, active cooperation is carried out on cross-border projects supported by European Union funds. In 2024, the partner city of Liptovský Mikuláš expressed its solidarity with Opava and provided financial assistance after the devastating floods that affected the city.

The Polish city of Racibórz is another long-standing partner of Opava. The partnership agreement was signed in 1991 and, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of cooperation, it was renewed by a new agreement in 2011. Thanks to the close proximity of the two cities, cooperation is relatively frequent and involves not only the municipal authorities but also schools, cultural institutions and other organisations on both sides of the border. An important part of the relationship is also cross-border cooperation within the Euroregion Silesia. During the floods in Opava in September 2024, Racibórz actively helped and provided material assistance to our city.

Cooperation between Opava and the Polish city of Żywiec has been developing since 2009. The partnership agreement between the two cities was signed in 2013. Joint activities focus mainly on culture, particularly folk traditions, as well as on sports cooperation among young people.

Cooperation between Opava and the Polish city of Zabrze was established in 1997. Long-term contacts between the cities have developed mainly in the field of culture.

Cooperation between Opava and the German city of Roth was established in 2003 on the basis of mutual contacts with the Polish city of Racibórz. Youth cooperation plays an important role in the partnership. Mendel Grammar School in Opava has long been actively involved in joint activities, organising student exchange programmes and other projects together with its partner school in Roth.

Partnership relations between Opava and the American city of Kearney, Nebraska, were established in 2015. The cooperation originated from an initiative of the Silesian University in Opava and the University of Nebraska at Kearney. In 2022, Kearney expressed its solidarity with Opava by providing financial support to help assist people arriving in the city in connection with the war in Ukraine.

Zugló, the 14th district of Budapest in Hungary, is one of Opava’s newer partner cities. The cooperation agreement between the two cities was signed in 2019. The partnership creates opportunities for joint projects in the fields of culture, youth activities and the exchange of experience between the cities.

Cooperation between Opava and the Polish city of Katowice has been developing since around 2006. Relations between the cities are long-standing and very cordial, and joint activities focus mainly on youth, sport, art, culture and the exchange of experience.

Opava has long-standing historical ties to the Liechtenstein family, which significantly influenced the development of the region for centuries. Current contacts with Liechtenstein stem from these historical connections. Prince Hans-Adam II visited Opava in 2015 and 2017. In 2023, a delegation of five members of the princely family visited the city on the occasion of the opening of the exhibition The Princes of Liechtenstein: Lords of the Land of Opava and Krnov at the Silesian Museum. The cooperation has potential particularly in the areas of culture, historical heritage and institutional relations.