Sister Cities Day

Come be part of our annual event where we celebrate over 40 years of being part of the Sister Cities program.

Join us as we celebrate all 12 of the Minneapolis Sister Cities with a FREE Ice Cream Social & gathering on Nicollet Island Pavilion, Minneapolis. This family event features multi-cultural entertainment, children activities, ice cream and refreshments. The event highlights all of Minneapolis’ International Sister Cities, with a special spotlight this year on the 10th anniversary of our Sister City with Cuernavaca, Mexico!

Sunday, July 22nd, 2018

1 - 5 p.m.
Nicollet Island Pavilion
40 Power Street, Minneapolis
FREE and open to the public

Minneapolis Sister Cities Day Official Program

1:00
Welcome remarks: Bill Deef, SVP Public Affairs – Meet Minneapolis
Announcer for the program: Michael Hernandez, Director of Visitor Services – Meet Minneapolis

1:05
Speaker: Teresa Olson, Honorary Consul of Chile in Minnesota
Minneapolis - Santiago, Chile Sister Cities

1:10 
Iraqi American Reconciliation Project
Minneapolis - Najaf, Iraq Sister Cities
Speaker: Jessica Belt

1:15-1:35           
Songs of Hope - a performing arts summer camp representing countries from around the world

1:40
Minneapolis Ibaraki City Sister City Association
Speaker: Karl Reinhard  

1:40-2:00           
Japanese Dancers from Ibaraki City, Japan

2:00                    
Remarks from elected officials
Melvin Tennant, President & CEO – Meet Minneapolis
Recognition of the 10th Anniversary of Minneapolis and Cuernavaca, Mexico Sister City Relationship
Speaker: Columba Reyes, Chair – Minneapolis Cuernavaca Sister City Association

2:15-2:35           
Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo

2:40   
Speaker: Ralph Beha, Chair – US China Peoples Friendship Association – MN Chapter
Minneapolis – Harbin, China Sister Cities

2:45-3:15
Hongde Choy Li Fut Lion Dancers
Hongde Choy Li Fut Kung Fu Students

3:15                     
Minneapolis – Bosaso, Somalia Sister Cities

3:15-3:35    
Somali Museum Dance Troupe

3:40
Speaker: Coventry Cowens, International Leadership Institute
Minneapolis – Eldoret, Kenya Sister Cities

3:45                    
Speaker: Representative of Minneapolis Kuopio Partnership
Minneapolis – Kuopio, Finland Sister Cities

3:50                    
Speaker:  Gail Beske, President – Minneapolis Tours Sister Cities
Minneapolis – Tours, France Sister Cities

3:55                    
Speakers: Katie Fournier and Miranda Striegel, Co-Chairs – Minneapolis Uppsala Friendship Committee      
Minneapolis – Uppsala, Sweden Sister Cities     
 
4:00-4:20           
Twin Cities Swedish Folk Dancers

4:30      
Taiko Arts Midwest Drumming Group