Monday 18 November 2013

Delegation from Sister City Kurashiki celebrates 40th anniversary

A high level delegation from Kurashiki, Japan is in town celebrating the 40th anniversary of their sister city relationship.

Led by Mayor Kaori Ito, who last visited Christchurch five years ago, the delegation is marking the long and loyal partnership between the cities with a contribution to the SCAPE Public Art project being unveiled today.

“I am delighted to welcome Mayor Kaori Ito and her delegation in person here in Christchurch,” Mayor Lianne Dalziel says. “Kurashiki’s gift of a streetlamp from their historic Bikan District will be a point of light for us, reminding us of the strong and enduring ties of friendship between our cities.”

Kurashiki was the first city to confirm its contribution to artist Mischa Kuball’s Solidarity Grid project comprising 21 working streetlamps from cities around the world, to be installed over the next three years along Park Terrace.

“Kurashiki gave fast and generous support to Christchurch after the earthquakes,” Mayor Dalziel says. “I want to express my gratitude for the emergency support they gave us and the generosity of their people who collected relief funds for our city.”

Mayor Dalziel also expressed her thanks that Kurashiki had raised $419,000 for the people of Christchurch following the earthquakes. She was also grateful that Kurashiki had continued to encourage its students to come to Christchurch for study after the earthquakes, and in turn had hosted Christchurch’s schoolchildren.

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