Olympia Sister City Program Revitalizes Cultural Ties with Kato

During a recent committee meeting, officials provided an update on the Olympia Sister City program, highlighting its history, current activities, and future plans. Susan Grisham, assistant to the city manager, and Timothy Grisham, president of the Olympia Kato Sister City Association, led the discussion.

The sister city relationship between Olympia and Kato, Japan, was established in 1981, originally with Yashiro, which later merged to form Kato. The Olympia Kato Sister City Association was formed concurrently to manage the relationship, which has seen various developments over the years, including the establishment of the Yashiro Japanese Garden in 1990. However, a previous sister city relationship with Olympia, Greece, was severed in 1993 due to a lack of communication.

In 2022, the city updated its sister city resolution, allowing for renewed membership in Sister Cities International, which had lapsed during the pandemic. This membership enables better support and resources for the program. The association has since revitalized its operations, electing a new board and engaging former members to enhance participation.

Upcoming events include a visit from Kato's Mayor Tadashi Awane and a delegation from August 20-22, 2023. The delegation will tour various local sites, including city hall and schools, and participate in cultural exchanges. The committee is currently planning the itinerary and is seeking input on what aspects of Kato's culture and challenges should be highlighted during the visit.

Timothy Grisham emphasized the importance of fostering cultural understanding and expanding programming beyond student exchanges. He noted that the association received funding to support youth delegations and community events, including a reception on September 12, where students will share their experiences from their recent visit to Kato.

The meeting concluded with a call for committee members to suggest additional activities and topics of interest for the upcoming delegation visit, aiming to strengthen the ties between Olympia and Kato while promoting cross-cultural dialogue.