HIRATSUKA AND LAWRENCE SISTER CITIES
Celebrating the Growing Relationship between Hiratsuka and Lawrence Articles Written by University of Kansas senior Rae Anderson, in Fall 2004, as part of a Service Learning Project for the Kansas-Asia Scholars Program
Sister City Exchange Program Flourishes
Every June, a group of selected students and teachers from Lawrence spend ten days in Hiratsuka as a part of an annual Student Exchange program. The program began in 1990, when students from Hiratsuka visited Lawrence. The next summer Lawrence followed suit sending twelve students and four teachers to Hiratsuka for a weeklong stay led by Randy Weseman. Over the last 14 years the program has expanded with 24 students participating in 2004.
The students participants range from the seventh to the twelfth graders. Eligibility is determined by an application process which includes writing of an essay and submission of a letter of recommendation, due each year in early December. The program coordinators select students among applicants balanced by gender, age, and school. After being selected, the students sign contractual agreements requiring participation in a series of orientation sessions throughout the following spring.
Fourteen groups of students have participated in the student exchange program, with most visiting Hiratsuka during June. However, two groups have visited in July in order to experience the annual Tanabata festival in Hiratsuka, which is a nationally famous festival in Japan. The students visit Hiratsuka for ten days, residing part of the time in a dormitory and part of the time experiening a home stay with a Japanese family. Hiratsuka continues to send students to Lawrence usually in the end of July. The Japanese students stay for about at a week at a home stay with a local family.
Current City Commissioner and retired Lawrence school district teacher, Sue Hack, has participated in four trips with the group. Her most vivid memory was of the tenth anniversary trip, in which the group got to see the Tanabata festival. Hack said, "It was amazing to see one million people in a city the size of Lawrence…the sounds, smells, and the experience was amazing." Hack also said that the most important part of the trip is the enduring friendships made.
Tenth anniversary group experiences the Tanabata Festival in July. Picture donated by Sue Hack..
Tenth anniversary group celebrates in Hiratsuka. Picture donated by Sue Hack.
First group to visit Hiratsuka. Picture donated by Sue Hack.
Hiratsuka Delegation Visits Lawrence
A delegation of over 30 Hiratsuka government officials and "Friends of Lawrence" visited Lawrence September 16-21, 2004. The delegation came to celebrate Lawrence's 15th Anniversary. They participated in events including visits with the Mayor of Lawrence and the Consul General of Japan, who came from the Japanese Consulate General's Kansas City office. In addition they toured KU and participated in the Sesquicentennial parade.
Members of the Hiratsuka delegation walk in the Sesquicentennial parade on Mass. St. Saturday, September 18 celebrating the 150th anniversary of Lawrence. The delegation wore happy coats-short, bright, kimonos reserved for celebrations. (Pictures courtesy of Pat Graham)
Sister Cities Since 1990
On September 21, 1990 Lawrence and Hiratsuka announced the formation of their sister city relationship during a visit to Japan by a Lawrence delegation. The announcement, a product of years of work by Lawrence's Sister Cities Advisory Board, marked the beginning of the growing relationship between the two cities. The Sister Cities Board learned of Hiratsuka through Professor Ted Kuwana of KU, an acquaintance of Professor Shizuo Fujiwara, the science director of Kanagawa University in Hiratsuka. The Sister City relationship has grown considerably over the years and continues today through a number of programs, including an annual student exchange. This exchange program allows students from both countries to experience new cultures in Hiratsuka and Lawrence.
Sister Cities Garden Increasingly Beautiful
The striking Sister Cities Friendship Garden located on Massachusetts Street, adjacent to the Watkins Community Museum of History, continues to grow in size and beauty over time. The garden began in 1995 with the planting of five cherry trees to celebrate the fifth-year anniversary of the sister city relationship. The garden has grown thanks to generous ongoing donations from the city of Hiratsuka. These include two large stone carvings given in the year 2000,which have added to the interest and beauty of the garden. The garden is a must see for all Lawrence community members and visitors. Information for this feature obtained from: http://www2.gol.com/users/csrkts/hiratsuka/lawrence/H-Lhistory.html
A statue donated by Hiratsuka in 2000 to the Sister Cities.
About this Bulletin
Rae Anderson, a senior at KU (during the 2004-2005 academic year) is studying Political Science and Peace and Conflict Studies, creates this bulletin. In the summer of 2004, Rae first visited Japan with the Kansas Asia Scholars Program. While there she spent three days at a home stay in Hiratsuka.
For any questions or comments, please contact Rae Anderson at: raea@ku.edu