Burlington twinned cities celebrated: What you need to know

According to a press release issued by the City of Burlington, additional programs and events are planned throughout the Itabashi twinning’s 35th anniversary year.

Meanwhile, the city has selected two winning artists and murals, out of 24 applications, for mural commissions of $1,500 each for public art celebrating the twinned cities to be reproduced on electrical boxes in Spencer Smith Park.

Arts and Culture Planner Kim Selman confirmed the city is finalizing details and is not announcing the winning projects yet. The murals are scheduled to be installed in late June.

Here’s what you need to know:

Canada Netherlands Friendship Day — May 11

10 a.m. Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St.

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• Dec 31, 1969
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• Dec 31, 1969
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The Canada Netherlands Friendship Day celebrates the 19th anniversary of the City of Burlington’s twinning agreement with the city of Apeldoorn. It will also recognize the 79th anniversary of the Netherlands liberation by the Canadian Armed Forces during World War 2. The free event will include:

• Canadian and Dutch national anthems.

• Greetings from the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Harman Idema; Elizabeth Witmer, former Deputy Premier of Ontario; and Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.

• Artwork on display from Alton Village Public School and Trinity Christian School.

• Remarks from a local Dutch family, living in Burlington.

• Music from Burlington Teen Tour Band.

• Light refreshments.

Sakura Festival — May 11

1 p.m. Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St.

Each spring, the Sakura Festival celebrates the arrival of the beautiful Japanese cherry blossoms. This year, the city is also recognizing the 35-year anniversary of its friendship with twin city, Itabashi, Japan. The free event will feature:

• Greetings from Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Consul General of Japan Matsunaga Takeshi.

• Opening performance by Burlington’s Do Kon Daiko Japanese drumming group.

• Karate, aikido and iaido demonstrations.

• A performance by the internationally-renowned taiko group Nagata Shachu.

• Suzuran odori (traditional dance) performances.

• Closing with exhilarating yosakoi dance by Sakuramai Toronto.

In celebration of the 35-year anniversary, special programming is planned in Burlington throughout the year, including:

• Interactive programming at Burlington Public Library, including Haiku workshops, Japanese sword appreciation talks, film nights, and more. Visit bpl.on.ca/programs.

• A visit to Burlington from Mayor Sakamoto and the Itabashi delegation on June 30 and July 1. The delegation will attend Burlington’s Canada Day festivities in Spencer Smith Park and help to unveil a new public art piece in honour of Itabashi in Spencer Smith Park.

• An art display in city hall from students in Burlington and Itabashi, June 25 to July 3.

• A delegation from Burlington, including Meed Ward, will travel to Itabashi to participate in 35-year anniversary celebrations hosted by the City of Itabashi.

• These events are co-ordinated by Burlington’s Mundialization Committee. The volunteer advisory committee strives to connect Burlington to the world through events and initiatives and to promote the City of Burlington as “A World Community” dedicated to the United Nations philosophy of peaceful co-operation among the peoples of the world and encourage community understanding of different cultures global issues.