Cornwall Park was crowded with citizens of both Tateyama, Japan, and Bellingham to celebrate the 50th anniversary of these sister cities relationship on July 22.
This Sister City relationship is the second longest in Washington, second only to Seattle and Kobe, Japan.
There were 15 delegation member from Tateyama City including the mayor of Tateyama and city official members of Tateyama, two of which were specially selected citizens.
Some visitors from Tateyama City stayed with host families during this visitation.
Makoto Mochizuki, from Tateyama, Japan, paints a sign for Ichiro Suzuki, during a sister city barbecue at Cornwall Park on July 22. The group attended a Mariner's game the following day. Photo by Katie Greene
"It is a part of a whole idea that we have as a sister city," said Tapio Holma, president of Sister City Association.
While the delegates from Tateyama City stayed in Bellingham, there were formal and informal occasions held such as a banquet and a farewell party.
At the picnic, people were attempting to get to know each other and their cultural differences by mingling. The two mayors and citizens alike set aside their titles and enjoyed each other’s company.
"If the people of Bellingham and the people of Tateyama think the relationship isn’t important, it wouldn’t survive," Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike said.
Tateyama Mayor Kenichi Kanamaru said it was wonderful visiting and getting together with the Bellingham City Council members and citizens to deepen exchanges between the two cities. The last time he visited Bellingham was 12 years ago. This was his second visitation.
Aside from Tateyama, Japan, Belling hamhas three other international sister cities: Nakhodka, Russia; Port Stephans, Australia; and Punta Arenas, Chile.
Cheongju, South Korea and Vaasa, Finland are both currently in the application process to become Bellingham’s newest sisters cities.
Bellingham and Tateyama have a similar charm because they are about the same size and are both port cities. Both cities have plans for waterfront redevelopment projects.
Since the cities formed their relationship and provided opportunities for citizens to put together a sense of community with people of the Pacific Rim, they actively maintaining a productive exchange programs
These programs included athlete exchanges, city official exchanges and educational exchanges. These programs were used in order to develop friendships and goodwill between the two communities, Holma said.
"It [the relationship] is about an interpersonal connection that really sustains the relationships," Bowker said. "The foundation is an interpersonal relationship."
James Loucky, professor of anthropology at Western, said there are lots of possibilities to increase educational exchanges because the two cities have a close relationship.
"It could be a place where we could have students go safely and connect directly with families and do home stay," Loucky said.
To view a slide show of the Sister City Celebration click here...
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