Stony Plain celebrates 25 years of friendship with Japanese town
The Town of Stony Plain has organized a trip for 27 town residents to Shikaoi, Japan to celebrate 25 years of international friendship between the two towns.
“The genuine bond between our two communities is worth celebrating, and I am thrilled that we can celebrate this milestone in-person with the citizens of our sister town,” says Ken Lemke, mayor of Stony Plain. “Both towns benefit from the international relationship established 25 years ago. We have gained a better understanding of the world; we have an appreciation of and respect for foreign culture; we take pride in our communities; and we embrace the mutual exchange of ideas. I am confident our friendship will continue to grow in the years to come.”
Stony Plain and Shikaoi have been sister towns since 1985, thanks to the vision of past mayors Reg Kotch and Donna Cowan, of Stony Plain, and mayors Sawatari and Yoshida, of Shikaoi.
Throughout the past 25 years, more than1,000 citizens have traveled to each others’ communities. These visits have strengthened the camaraderie, nurturing the friendship that has blossomed throughout the past quarter-decade.
The two towns share much in common: both are proud of their strong agricultural roots; both celebrate their culture and heritage through annual festivals and events; and both cherish their past while embracing their future..
The Stony Plain adult delegation will be in Shikaoi from May 19 to 26 and hosted by local families. In addition to celebrating the 25th anniversary of the towns’ friendship, the delegates will also take part in Shikaoi’s 90 th birthday bash. The Town of Shikaoi has organized a community party on May 22, which will include a speech delivered by Mayor Lemke. Other events include a dinner party hosted by Mayor Hiroshi Yoshida, a 25th anniversary reception for the delegation and host families and several cultural activities within the region.
The Towns of Stony Plain and Shikaoi have hosted an international exchange program for 14 years. However, the relationship between Shikaoi and Stony Plain cannot be measured in years alone. Those who have participated have gained experiences that permanently enriched their lives. As a result, each delegate returns home with new knowledge, enhanced cultural understanding, deeper maturity and lifelong friends.
The Town of Stony Plain will also send an annual student-exchange to Shikaoi in July. In October, the Town will welcome approximately 70 Grade 10 students from Shikaoi for a 10-day stay in Stony Plain. This year, the Town will host the Alberta / Japan Twinned Municipalities Association (A/J TMA) annual conference on July 13 and 14, which will include a 20-person delegation from Shikaoi.
About the Town of Shikaoi
Shikaoi is a located on the island of Hokkaido in the Kato District of Japan. In 2008, the Town had an estimated population of 5,723 (Source: Town of Shikaoi website).
[Source: Town of Stony Plain]
