CULTURE & HERITAGE

• TSC global Book Club met virtually each month to read books written by local authors in our Sister Countries. STORYTELLING Aalesund, Kitakyushu, El Jadida, and Boca del Rio presented local Folk Stories to a Virtual international Storytelling program at the Tacoma Public Library.
• Storytelling: Aalesund, Kitakyushu, El Jadida, and Boca del Rio presented local Folk Stories to a Virtual international Storytelling program at the Tacoma Public Library.
• “Hidden Treasures Bridging Cultures” Exhibition: A History of Tacoma’s Sister Cities and Sister Ports since 1959” Exhibition opened September 22 at the Tacoma Historical Society Museum, 406 South Tacoma Avenue. Monthly events featured cultural presentations and discussions about Immigration to Tacoma. The Exhibit and Events continue through March 12, 2022.

FILM FESTIVAL

• Mira Utz, Chair of the International FF Committee organized TSC’s 19th Annual and first Virtual FILM FESTIVAL showing uncommon films from eight countries.

YOUTH & EDUCATION

• YAAS: Youth Artists and Authors Showcase: Volunteer Helen Milus, Chair of the Youth and Education Sub-Committee organized our first Youth Artists & Authors Showcase attracting 29 Tacoma students from 13 schools and 3 students from Kitakyushu, Japan presenting art, poetry, Photography, and Music. Local youth received first and second place prizes. Winner of the Photography prize from Lincoln HS won second place in the Washington DC competition, Kokura HS Student received Honorable Mention for her art.
• Language exchange: French students at Mason MS, Spanish students at Meeker MS and Chinese language students at Foss HS and Bellarmine virtually connected with English language students in Biot, France, Boca del Rio, Mexico, and Fuzhou, China to get to know each others culture and study language together.
• Entrepreneurs Boot Camp: Business students at the University of Puget Sound and Anahuac University in Veracruz, Mexico, created joint proposals for three international Trade projects.
• Strategic planning with UPS students:  During the Fall semester, UPS Students in Professor Lynette Clair’s Business classes performed two in depth studies of Tacoma Sister Cities organization and building audiences for the Film Festival. They presented results in December. Thanks to these six students, we have vitally important road maps for 2022.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH & SOCIAL EVENTS

• Sister Cities Night at Cheney Stadium: A perfect July evening with a scarlet sunset and twinkling stars found families and friends from all around the world cheering for The Rainiers during Sister Cities Night at Cheney Stadium. Thanks to Joe Stortini and Adam Parks.
• Beach Party at Vashon: BBQ and Beach walks entertained TSC friends and committee members from Kitakyushu, El Jadida, Cienfuegos, Boca del Rio, Split, Porto Sant Elpidio and Fuzhou. Thanks to Clare Petrich.
• Dedication of Tacoma’s new Peace pole: The United Nations International Day of Peace, saw TSC join with the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize to honor Marilyn Kimmerling, recipient of the GTPP 2020 Prize and to dedicate the new 12’ stainless steel Peace Pole at the Peace Plaza at Thea’s Park on the Foss Waterway. It was a moving ceremony, with music by The Tacoma Refugee Choir, Mayor Woodard and local dignitaries led by Frances Lorenz of the Center for Spiritual Living. Sylvia Sass & former Mayor Bill Baarsma cut the ribbon on the new Peace Pole while representatives from all of our Sister Cities spoke out “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in the language of their country. Through the help of private donors, Sister Cities purchased and Metro Parks installed the new 12’ Peace Pole to replace the badly damaged 20 year old wooden Pole at Thea’s Park. We are currently raising funds for a new interpretive sign, designed by Tacoma artist Chandler O’Leary, currently under construction to be installed in 2022.  Click here to make a donation

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS FUNDERS

• In 2021 Tacoma Sister Cities activities were funded by many generous individuals, the Fuchs & Kilworth Foundations, a joint fundraiser with Tacoma Community House hosted by Nicki Tollefson, The Marlo Sass Arts Scholarship, WA Arts, Pierce County Historic Preservation, the Port of Tacoma, City of Tacoma Arts Commission, Community & Economic Development Department, the City’s Historic Preservation Department and Tacoma Creates. We are grateful to each of you!

In the World, Sister City Committees were also actively engaged.

• Boca del Rio committee brought together students in Tacoma and Mexico for a virtual Entrepreneurial Boot Camp exchange and continues to support the Spanish Language class at Meeker M.S.
• Cienfuegos committee produced a video celebrating the creation of their Committee 20 years ago. They sponsored Dia de los Muertos, partnering with the 6th Avenue Business District. The event was partially sponsored by the City of Tacoma Events & Venues Fund. Close to 1,000 people came out to honor their ancestors on this special Latin holiday.
• George committee held a virtual summit with Colleges in South Africa and Tacoma exchanging information about how each is coping with the pressures of the Pandemic.
• Fuzhou committee joined with the World Trade Center Tacoma for a virtual Trade delegation to Fuzhou and also received a series of Tai Chi lessons available on our YouTube Channel. Jason Tatman, UPS graduate who currently lives in China, has volunteered to be the 2022 committee Chair. Thank you, Jason!
• Biot committee has raised funds to return Tacoma Jazz Musician Kareem Kandi to teach and perform in France in 2022.
• Two Sister City relationships are in formation: Porto Sant Elpidio, Italy and Split, Croatia (replacing efforts with Stari Grad, Hvar). We are anticipating travel plans to Croatia, Italy and the Adriatic in September 2022.

Thank you to every member, volunteer and donor committed to Tacoma Sister Cities activities! Mark your calendar for our 2022 Retreat on Saturday, January 22nd either virtually or in person at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center. With deep gratitude, your 2021 Tacoma Sister Cities Council

• Clare Petrich, Chair
• Frances Lorenz, Vice Chair
• Terry Liu Spuck, Secretary
• Bruce Sadler, Treasurer