Latest Sister Cities Program News
A Delegation from Nagano, Japan Visited Clearwater on Friday, April 23, 2010 to Celebrate the Sister Cities Relationship's 50th Anniversary
Clearwater is celebrating its 50th anniversary as the sister city of Nagano, Japan, and a delegation from the city, including Nagano Mayor Soichi Washizawa and Mrs. Washizawa, along with other officials and citizens from Nagano (seventeen people in all), marked the occasion with a reciprocal visit to Clearwater. Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard and city officials made the trip to Nagano in the fall of 2009. The Nagano delegates stayed at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort and with homestay families.
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| Nagano Mayor Soichi Washizawa |
The delegation's visit began on Friday, April 23, at 9 a.m., at Clearwater City Hall, 112 S. Osceola Ave. Clearwater's Mayor Frank Hibbard or other city Councilmembers, Clearwater Sister City officials, and Clearwater city employees were on hand for each event. The welcoming ceremonies began with a continental breakfast followed by mayoral welcome, entertainers, ringing of the ceremonial bell from Nagano in the City Hall lobby, remarks and an exchange of official gifts. Friday evening, there was a dinner reception at the Sheraton Sand Key, hosted by the Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc organization. Events taking place on Saturday, April 24th, included a business meeting with area stakeholders and associated partners in the Sister Cities relationship, including City of Clearwater officials and staff, Clearwater Chamber of Commerce representative, Sister Cities Board members, Pinellas County Schools representatives and alumni of the Clearwater/Nagano exchange student program. A Sayonara party took place at the Clearwater Main Library, and the visitors enjoyed the festivities at Coachman Park for the Fun n Sun jazz concert.
Clearwater has enjoyed Sister City relations with Nagano, Japan since 1959 when Mayor Kurashima of Nagano came to the United States. He was searching for a city with similar economic and community needs and wished to develop new friendships, ideas and business partnerships. The exchanges between the two cities have grown through the years, culminating in a hospitality center that was a collaboration of the two cities at the XVIII Winter Olympic Games in 1998. The current Mayor of Nagano, Mayor Shoichi Washizawa, is extremely committed to continuous interaction, which has resulted in cultural understanding, immeasurable friendships and the enhancement of the Sister City program.
For more information, contact Cultural Affairs Specialist Elizabeth Minor at 562-4814.
Clearwater citizens and city employees created design panels for the lanterns used in Nagago City's February Lantern Festival.
View pictures from Nagano Lantern Festival
Exchange students visit Clearwater Feb. 6-13, 2010
As part of the ongoing exchange visits between Clearwater and Nagano, five high school students and their teacher/chaperone arrived on Saturday, Feb. 6. The group will stay with homestay families for a week and visit three area schools. Clearwater, Countryside and Eastlake High Schools have graciously offered to host, again this year. The students will visit St. Petersburg College, Clearwater Campus, tour areas of interest, and take a trip to Disney.
Members of City Council travel to Nagano, Japan to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Sister Cities relationship
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between the City of Clearwater and Nagano City, Japan. The program has its roots in an initiative begun by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1956, a people-to-people movement for citizen diplomacy was established with the goal of creating a free and peaceful world. More than fifty years later, the Sister City Program continues to thrive. Currently, Sister Cities International represents 694 communities in the United States with 1,992 partnerships and 1,749 international communities in 134 countries.
During the next two years, the City of Clearwater and Nagano City, Japan plan to commemorate this longstanding affiliation with various celebrations. Nagano invited Clearwater to participate in their annual February lantern festival. A special section of the event featured designs submitted from Clearwater citizens with messages of peace displayed in illuminated lanterns that lined the streets of Nagano. Clearwater held a similar event in its downtown during the annual Fun ‘n Sun Festival this past April.
Members of the City Council and their spouses traveled to Japan in October, 2009, to attend a ceremony honoring the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship. While there, the official delegation participated in a 'samurai parade' and met with the mayor of Nagano City.
View Streaming Video of the 50th Anniversary Visit
The Japanese Culture and Lantern Festival was held on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Station Square Park, 612 Cleveland Street
This event honored the city's 50th anniversary with its sister city of Nagano, Japan. Demonstrations of traditional Japanese martial activities included judo, kendo, and yagyu. Other Japanese traditions displayed were the art of kimono, tea ceremonies, bonsai, sumi-e painting, calligraphy, and origami. Musical performances included taiko drummers and the koto, a Japanese stringed instrument. The event culminated with a lantern lighting ceremony and a parade, with patrons of the event carrying hand-held lanterns provided by Nagano City. Co-sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan.
Clearwater and Nagano, Japan Celebrate a Golden Anniversary
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between the City of Clearwater and Nagano City, Japan. The program has its roots in an initiative begun by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1956, a people-to-people movement for citizen diplomacy was established with the goal of creating a free and peaceful world. More than fifty years later, the Sister City Program continues to thrive. Currently, Sister Cities International represents 694 communities in the United States with 1,992 partnerships and 1,749 international communities in 134 countries.
During the next two years, the City of Clearwater and Nagano City, Japan plan to commemorate this longstanding affiliation with various celebrations. Nagano invited Clearwater to participate in their annual February lantern festival. A special section of the event featured designs submitted from Clearwater citizens with messages of peace displayed in illuminated lanterns that lined the streets of Nagano. Clearwater held a similar event in its downtown during the annual Fun ‘n Sun Festival this past April.
Mayor Frank Hibbard and his wife will travel to Japan in October, 2009, along with several other members of the City Council, to attend a ceremony honoring the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship. While there, the official delegation will participate in a 'samurai parade' and meet with the mayor of Nagano City.
Student Exchanges
Four Clearwater area students were recently selected to take part in the City of Clearwater's 2009 Summer Nagano Exchange Program. The students, who were selected by an interview process in February, are Rachel Lubitz from Countryside High School, Ariana Lazzaroni from Palm Harbor University High School, Katie Bosley from Clearwater High School and Vonnabel Sherman, a home-school student. Ms. Linda Damsky, from Pinellas County Schools and Chair of the Sister Cities Advisory Board, will accompany the students. Due to the recent outbreak of swine flu in Japan, the 2009 trips were postponed until the summer of 2010.
Once the students return to Clearwater, they will share their experiences with the City Council, Sister Cities, Inc., and other organizations around Clearwater. If you would like information about the program, e-mail Elizabeth.Minor@myclearwater.com.
"The men and women participating actively in the Sister
City Program do more than talk about world understanding, they are
contributing their ideas, resources and brotherhood to improve international
understanding on a planet that grows smaller with each count-down."
- Edward R. Murrow
 Sister
City - Nagano, Japan
Visit
the Nagano City Web site
Background
Clearwater, Florida has enjoyed Sister City relations with Nagano,
Japan since 1959 when Mayor Kurashima of Nagano came to the United
States. He was searching for a city with similar economic and
community needs and wished to develop new friendships, ideas and
business partnerships.
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| Zenkoji
Temple in Nagano, Japan |
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The ancient Zenkoji Temple located in Nagano, Japan and the beaches
of Clearwater both attract large numbers of tourists each year. Mayor
Kurashima saw the great potential of a shared bond between the two
cities.
The exchanges have grown through the years. The current Mayor
of Nagano, Mayor Shoichi Washizawa, is extremely committed to continuous
interaction, which has resulted in cultural understanding, immeasurable
friendships and the enhancement of the Sister City program.
The teacher and student exchanges have been the backbone of the
Sister City Program. Every year Nagano sends two teachers for
a one month working visitation. The teachers are placed with volunteer
homestay families and Pinellas County School System coordinates
the school schedule. Nagano also sends a group of middle
school students and subsequently another group of high school students
for one week of homestay and school visitation in Clearwater.
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| Clearwater
Students in
Nagano, Japan |
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The Pinellas School Board of Education teacher exchange program
began in 1983. Currently, two teachers are sent for one month
in the summer to live with a homestay and teach English at several
schools. The student exchange program, initiated in 1990, comprises
a group of four students and a teacher/chaperone. Their purpose is
to attend middle schools, give presentations, interact with students
and enjoy life with a homestay family. Students previously stayed
in Nagano for one month. Starting in 2005, the length of stay
was changed to two weeks.
These mutually beneficial exchanges have had an extremely positive
impact in promoting and nurturing cross-cultural relations in educational
and community arenas. Long lasting friendships, deeper understanding
and appreciation for our respective cultures are the bonds that connect
our cities and make us one.
Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. Membership
Annual Membership in the Clearwater Sister City Organization
is $15 per individual or $25 per family. The organization
promotes global friendship, communication and understanding through
exchanges and activities. For more information, call Lois Sewell,
(727) 726-0260, or
download a membership application
here.
Program Highlights
Photo Galleries
Nagano Teachers to Clearwater in Oct. - Nov.
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| Clearwater
hosts delegation from Japan – April 2005 |
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Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. and the City of Clearwater welcomed
a delegation of dignitaries and citizens from Nagano, Japan. The
previous summer, fifty-three Clearwater representatives including
City Council members, teachers, students and citizens visited Nagano
to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Sister City relationship.
The reciprocal visit was a wonderful opportunity for Clearwater
to host our international friends, show- off our Clearwater scenery,
and display our Southern hospitality. Discussions between
the cities explored ways of increasing cultural, educational, business,
and tourism exchanges.
Nagano High School and Middle School Students to Clearwater
in February and March
Every year families in the Clearwater community open their homes
to students from Japan. The students visit middle and
high schools in Clearwater to teach students about their culture
and experience education in America. On the students off days,
the Clearwater families take them to the highlights in Clearwater:
the beach, the marina, recreation centers and community parks.
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| In summer
2007, Lucy Feigel, Ben Popp, Zach Tranter and Joey Stokes,
accompanied by teacher Stacie Little, spent two weeks
teaching Japanese students about their experiences in
America. The students volunteered for the city to fundraise
for their trip. |
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Clearwater to Nagano in Summer
4 local High School Students + Chaperone to Nagano
Every summer Clearwater sends four High School students and one
chaperone to participate in our cultural exchange with Japan. The
four students are picked from a competitive pool of applicants
and travel to Japan for a reasonable cost. The students stay with
a screened homestay and spend two weeks immersed in Japanese culture.
Activities include visiting local attractions, giving presentations
at local schools and meeting the mayor of Nagano. If you or your
child is interested in this program, please pick up an application
from your high school's guidance, foreign language or social
studies department.
Young Ambassadors Program
The Clearwater - Nagano Middle School Cultural Student Exchange
Program began in 1999 and has sponsored exchange trips ever since.
In 2004, in celebration of the 45th Anniversary of the Sister City
relationship, 45 students, teachers, and city officials went to
Nagano.
Middle school students interested
in a Summer cultural exchange experience should e-mail
Marilyn Hall for more information, or
call Richard Wisemiller at (727) 743-4518. The application and
interview process typically occurs in December.
Since its inception, the program has taken over 60 students and
their chaperones to Nagano, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo,
Japan.
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| 2007
Young Ambassadors |
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