Get ready to welcome a delegation straight from Takamatsu, Japan, as they have touched down in St. Pete and will be here through October 7 celebrating a remarkable 60 years of sisterhood between the two cities.

Led by none other than Takamatsu’s Mayor Hideto Onishi and City Assembly Chairperson Yoshihito Shiraishi, this esteemed group will rendezvous with St. Pete’s Mayor Kenneth T. Welch and the City Council crew. They’re set to explore, engage, and dive into cultural escapades at local schools, colleges, galleries, and agencies.

“The City of St. Petersburg is honored to recognize its longstanding relationship with Takamatsu, Japan, by welcoming Mayor Onishi and their delegation to our city,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. “Their visit and our exchange is a special opportunity for us embody the deep-rooted connection between our cities and St. Pete’s commitment to cultural enrichment.”

Takamatsu, Japan mayor Onishi visits the ‘Burg

Since 1961, St. Petersburg and Takamatsu have been united as Sister Cities, fostering a unique exchange program. Local high school students from St. Pete jet off to Takamatsu as goodwill ambassadors each year, while their Japanese counterparts land here, embracing St. Pete’s host families for a taste of cultural immersion.

“We are honored to welcome the esteemed guests from our sister city of Takamatsu, Japan,” said City Council Chair Brandi Gabbard. “When we come together as people of unique cultures to learn about each other and explore our diverse perspectives, we create an atmosphere that encourages peace and global support of each other’s endeavors. Collaboration is a powerful catalyst for success, and our cities’ collective strength is amplified when we work together.”

Additional St. Petersburg-Takamatsu arts and culture exchanges include an Artlink project between Creative Clay (St. Pete) and Heartlink (Takamatsu) which was born in 2001 when Creative Clay representatives traveled to Japan to teach the Artlink Mentorship Program, pairing professional artists with developmentally challenged member-artists. The next Artlink for Creative Clay and Heartlink is being planned for 2024.

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