30 June, 2017

Adelaide Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Sister City Relationship

The City of Adelaide is proud to unveil a new exhibition in the City Library celebrating the 35th anniversary of its Sister City relationship with the Japanese city of Himeji.

Featuring a diverse collection of Himeji replicas, commemorative medals, hand painted textiles and ceramics, the new display is a physical journey into Adelaide’s enduring relationship with Himeji.

Himeji’s unique cityscape featuring Himeji Castle is an iconic and revered symbol of the beauty of the city and this collection features many renderings of the renowned cityscape in a variety of media as pewter, textiles, oil on canvas and photography.

On display from today, the collection underpins the rituals of gift giving – an important part of Japanese culture.

Gift giving between Adelaide and Himeji has been a long-standing tradition between the two cities and fostered a relationship of sharing and a greater understanding of each other’s cultural landscape.

In 1980 the Ambassador of Australia in Japan approached the then Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide to establish a Sister City relationship between Himeji and Adelaide.

Then in 1982, Council resolved unanimously that arrangements be made to establish bonds of friendship between our two great cities and thereby initiate the development of the association between us as Sister Cities. Adelaide’s Sister City relationship with Himeji was formally signed in Himeji in 1982 by the Honourable Toyonobu Yoshida, then Mayor of Himeji and Dr John Watson, Lord Mayor of Adelaide.

Designed to establish bonds of friendship between our two communities, the agreement contained the hope of a long and deep friendship to contribute to world peace and the prosperity of mankind.

City of Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese encouraged people to visit the exhibition from today.

“The exhibition at our wonderful City Library is well worth a look and you will learn some interesting things about Himeji and about our special relationship with the city,” said Martin.

“We strongly value our relationship with Himeji and I am proud that we enjoy strong relationships with five Sister Cities and two Friendly Cities, across three continents.

“These relationships are so important to Adelaide as we share ideas, joint commercial ventures, the exchange of goods and services and much more.”

The Sister City relationship with Himeji has been established for the purposes of deepening mutual understanding, friendship and goodwill through programs of educational, cultural, social and economic exchange.

To find out more about Adelaide’s Sister Cities, visit:
www.cityofadelaide.com.au/city-living/welcome-to-adelaide/sister-cities/

Matt Halliwell