A tale of twin cities: how Coventry and Stalingrad invented the concept

Under the ring road, just north of Coventry’s city centre, there are a series of murals. Faded and streaked with water damage and pigeon droppings they show hands shaking across the ocean in what would once have been bright, cheerful colours. On a grimy concrete pillar you can still just about read the explanation for their existence on a scratched and faded plaque.