Page 7 - 2019/2020 Edmonds Business Directory

2019 / 2020 Community Resource Guide of Edmonds 7

Edmonds Sister City Commission – 2019

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.
Over the past 31 years 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.