Page 7 - 2018 Edmonds Business Directory

2017 / 2018 Community Resource Guide of Edmonds 7

Edmonds Sister City Commission – 2017

The City of Edmonds became sister
cities with Hekinan Japan in 1988 to
promote international communication and
understanding. During that time, the two
cities have exchanged ideas, public art,
visitors and many enjoyable moments.
Personal, cultural and educational
connections have built an enduring
friendship between Edmonds and
Hekinan.

Personal links have been formed by the over 1000 people who have travelled to
and from Hekinan. Most of these visitors are students who exchange homestays
during the summer. This opportunity for youth to travel overseas and experience a
vastly different culture is made possible by the Edmonds Sister City Commission.
Since the students are completely immersed in each other’s culture, they learn
understanding and acceptance of our differences. The exchange program
provides a unique opportunity for Edmonds youth to create lifelong friendships
and love of Japanese culture.

Public art in Edmonds highlights the cultural links between the sister cities. In
2004, the “Friendship Tree” was sculpted and placed on the Edmonds Waterfront
as a symbol of the longstanding affinity between the two cities. The traditional
carved stone “Japanese Lantern” located at Centennial Plaza near City Hall was a
gift from the city of Hekinan. In return, Edmonds presented a “Crane” sculpture
which sits outside city hall in Hekinan City.

The third link between the cities is education,
the basis of cultural understanding. The Sister
City Commission recruits and supports an
Assistant Language Teacher to work in the
Hekinan middle schools teaching English and
American culture. The Commission also brings
Japanese culture into Edmonds area classrooms
through in-house field trips featuring Japanese
folk tales and art projects.

Volunteers on the Edmonds Sister City
Commission are dedicated to strengthening
the bonds of friendship between Edmonds, WA
and Hekinan, Japan. To learn more about the
Commission’s programs and how you can be
involved, visit http://www.escc.edmondswa.gov.