A Gift from Burlington to Itabashi
BURLINGTON, ON – On Wednesday, July 29, the City of Burlington’s official delegation including Mayor Cam Jackson, the Burlington Teen Tour Band and a citizen tour of 12 will travel to Burlington’s twin city Itabashi, Japan.
“It is a great honour to continue the tradition by celebrating our 20th anniversary as twin cities,” said Mayor Cam Jackson. “Our community continues to benefit from many cultural exchanges that foster greater understanding and awareness of the growing diversity our city celebrates.”
A twinning agreement between Burlington and Itabashi was signed at Burlington City Hall by former Mayor Roly Bird and former Mayor Keizo Kurihara on May 12, 1989. The relationship has developed since that time through regular citizen visits, official delegations and memorable anniversary celebrations.
Joining Mayor Jackson are General Manager of Development and Infrastructure Leo DeLoyde, General Manager of Community Services Scott Stewart, the Chair of the Mundialization Committee Charles Minkin and the Chair of the Itabashi sub-committee Ako Matsbayashi. During their five-day stay, the delegates will meet with Mayor Sakamoto on July 31 at the Itabashi City Hall.
Mayor Cam Jackson will present a gift from Burlington to Itabashi, two-city commissioned paintings by former Burlington resident Robert Bateman featuring a local great blue heron. The companion painting of a Japanese red-crowned crane, known to Japan as the bird of happiness, will stay in Burlington as a tribute to the city’s continuing relationship with Itabashi and a symbolic expression of the city’s commitment to preserving and protecting our natural heritage. The paintings when displayed together visually reflect the cultural importance of our twinning relationship between Burlington and Itabashi.
Burlington will host the Mayor and official delegation from Itabashi from September 19 to 23. For more information about the Burlington Mundialization Committee, visit www.burlington.ca, Welcome to City Hall, Boards and Committees; call 905-335-7600, ext. 7375; or e-mail pitosciad@burlington.ca.
It is a sincere pleasure and honour to offer a special gift to the people of Itabashi, Japan, on the 20th anniversary of the twinning of our two great cities: Itabashi, Japan, and Burlington, Canada.
Both cities are recognized for their natural beauty, well-captured by the magnificent wild birds with whom we share our habitats. In Japan, you enjoy the red-crowned crane, Japan's bird of happiness. In Canada, we are inspired by the grace and beauty of the great blue heron.
The people of Burlington wish to embrace the natural bond between Itabashi and Burlington by presenting a special gift from world-renowned wildlife artist and Canadian Robert Bateman. The City of Burlington has commissioned a painting of the Japanese red-crowned crane to be displayed and preserved in our city hall to symbolize the friendship between the people of Burlington and Itabashi and to pay tribute to the natural heritage entrusted to both cities.
Please accept our humble gift, and our wish for success in the continuing friendship between our two great cities.