Tatebayshi Visit - 2009-05-13
Tatebayashi, Japan
Sister City participants from the recent exchange visit to Tatebayashi in Japan, led by Councillor Chris Thompson have now returned to the Sunshine Coast. Whist in Tatebayashi the delegation which included eight local artists held a number of art workshops and also participated in an Art Exhibition which showcased the works of both the Sunshine Coast artists and those from Tatebayashi. Aside for also taking in the truly spectacular Tatebayashi Azalea Festival the delegation had the chance to visit the No 2 Junior High School and to meet with officials from the Kanto Gakuen School both of which have co-operation programs with schools on the Sunshine Coast. A further highlight of the visit was a meeting with the tatebayashi Chamber of Commerce which has opened the door for economic co-operation between the two cities. As usual much assistance for the visit was provided by mayor Yasuraoka and his team for the Tatebayashi Citizen’s Department. All participants have returned with fond memories of the International Day Picnic held in the Obiki Shrine park which attracted an audience of hundreds of local Tatebayashi people and which culminated in a participating in traditional Japanese dance and a good old Australian line dance ! If you would like more information on the Sunshine Coast’s sister City relationship with Tatebayashi in Japan, please use the contacts page.