Minneapolis celebrated over 40 years of participating in the sister city program.  To celebrate this mile stone, the City of Minneapolis hosted a free ice cream social and gathering at the Nicollet Island Pavilion on Sunday, July 21, 2019. Many residents participated the annual event where the city of Minneapolis celebrated over 40 years of being part of the Sister Cities program.

Since the Minneapolis Sister Cities program was established in 1961 when the first Sister City agreement between Minneapolis and Santiago, Chile, was signed, additional cities include Winnipeg, Canada; Santiago, Chile; Harbin, China; Kuopio, Finland; Tours, France; Najaf, Iraq; Ibaraki City, Japan; Eldoret, Kenya; Cuernavaca, Mexico; Novosibirsk, Russia; Bosaso, Somalia; and Uppsala, Sweden.

Bosaso, Somalia is the last city that was signed in the sister city program. In 2014 the City of Minneapolis Council, led by Ward 6 City Councilman Abdi Warsame voted to add Bosaso, Somalia, as Minneapolis’ 12th sister city in an arrangement that has inspired local residents and Somali citizens abroad.

The resolution, sponsored by Ward 6 City Councilman Abdi Warsame, followed heavy citizen participation at committee meetings led up to this historic vote. Minneapolis became sisters with Bosaso, Somalia on Friday, October 21, 2014 — becoming the first city in the country to do so — in an effort to strengthen international ties with Somali-American residents.

The Sister Cities International program, which formally accredits the relationship between Minneapolis and Bosaso, provides for exchanges between the two cities. Minneapolis’ 11 other sister cities include Uppsala, Sweden, and Santiago, Chile, which was the first city to connect with Minneapolis.

On Sunday July 21, 2019 Bosaso city delegates and volunteers showcased artifacts ranging from drums to dresses, from camel milk containers to photographs of Bosaso at the event. Members of the Somali Museum Dance Troupe (mostly high school and college students) performed traditional dances from all regions of Somalia at Minneapolis’ International Sister Cities Day.

Some of the activities for Minneapolis Sister Cities Day include:

• Music
• Speakers
• Performances
• Dancers
• Children’s Activities
• Complimentary make-your-own sundaes

Included in the musical groups this year are:

• Gilgamesh, representing Najaf, Iraq. Dancers performed Chobi dancing, a modern circle dance. This dance is usually reserved for weddings. However, this year, it will helped celebrate the 10th anniversary with sister city in Iraq.
• Songs of Hope, a youth performing arts summer camp representing a dozen countries from around the world. Children from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the U.S. come together for six weeks of singing and performances. Their focus is spreading cultural unity wherever they go.
• Harisen Daiko, Minnesota taiko drumming group representing Ibaraki City, Japan. Taiko drumming is an ancient Japanese form of percussion utilizing large drums and has been used for many purposes, including communication, military action, theatrical accompaniment and religious ceremonies.
• Annelise Carlson and Liang Sorman, representing Harbin, China. These musicians showcased traditional Chinese music playing instruments such as the guzheng, yangqin and the hulusi. The hulusi’s origins can be traced back more than 2,000 years to the pre-Qin period.
• Mexico Lindo, representing Cuernavaca, Mexico. Performers showcased Ballet Folklorico, which is a mix of a traditional Mexican folk dance with ballet characteristics. Engaging and energetic, adults to the very young perform with precise choreography representing the unique cultures of Mexico.