© City of Sydney
From 1st to 4th November Nagoya city’s Mayor Takashi Kawamura and Assembly members led by Toshiyuki Ogawa, Vice Chairperson enjoyed their visit in Sydney.
On 1st Nov, Nagoya Day was held at Hyde Park (corner of Park & Elizabeth St). Many distinguished guests, including David Butcher, Chairman of Sydney-Nagoya Sister City Committee and Councillor Robert Kok, came. Mr Doug Sutherland, former Lord Mayor in 1980, when the sister city agreement was arranged 35 years ago, was also present.
At the Opening Ceremony, Mayor Kawamura made a speech in English in appreciation of City of Sydney and he sang his favourite song, one to cheer on the local baseball team the Chunichi Dragons, but he swapped the team name to the 35th anniversary of Sydney and Nagoya to celebrate the long-standing sister-city relationship.
During the day, people were attracted to the stage where they could see samurai performances by Nagoya Omotenashi Busho-Tai, cosplay shows and classical Japanese dance performances. There were also many attractive booth events: Nagoya food stalls, opportunities for people to wear kimonos and yukatas (summer kimonos), try origami, and fish for water balloons. Furthermore, the Zoomobile from Taronga Zoo also made a guest appearance!
The following day (2 Nov) Deputy Lord Mayor Robyn Kemmis, Mayor Kawamura and other distinguished guests planted the Camellia Sasanqua to mark the 35th Anniversary of the Sydney- Nagoya Sister City Relationship. We look forward to providing more nourishment for this strong relationship!
© City of Sydney
On 3rd November, Lord Mayor Clover Moore kindly hosted the Nagoya City delegation during their courtesy visit to Sydney Town Hall and she also surprised Mayor Kawamura by celebrating his birthday as well (which also fell on this day!)
© City of Sydney
The last day (4 Nov), Mr Cameron Kerr, Taronga Zoo’s Director and CEO, presented a koala to Nagoya to commemorate the anniversary.
It was a wonderful four-day celebration!
© Taronga ZOO
© Taronga ZOO