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Latest Sister Cities Program News

Members of City Council travel to Nagano, Japan to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Sister Cities relationship

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.

Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, Japan

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.

Clearwater Students in Nagano, Japan

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 Delegates Visit Clearwater, Spring 2005
• High School Students Visit Nagano, Summer 2005
• High School Students visit Nagano, Summer 2006
• High School Students visit Nagano, Summer 2007
• Members of City Council travel to Nagano, Japan to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Sister Cities relationship

Nagano Teachers to Clearwater in Oct. - Nov.

Clearwater hosts delegation from Japan – April 2005

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.

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.

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. Or view our online announcement, flyer, and application.

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.

2007 Young Ambassadors