Sister Cities Day celebrated in Odessa

Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between communities in the United States and those in other countries, particularly through the establishment of "sister cities".

More than 2,000 cities, states and counties are partnered in 136 countries around the world. The organization "strives to build global cooperation at the municipal level, promote cultural understanding and stimulate economic development". Since 1963, the Sister Cities Day has been celebrated on the last Sunday of April, according to the Sister Cities International. This year, the holiday is celebrated for the anniversary 50th time.

On Dumskaya Square, near the building of Odessa City Hall, there is a memorial sign which symbolizes the ties of our city with its partner and sister ones. At the time being, Odessa has 38 sister cities. Recently, the City Council initialized a Cooperation Renewal Program aimed at activating the activity in the network of the agreements having been signed.

As another proof of the Program’s efficiency, a meeting was held in Odessa’s I. Franko Library on occasion of the Sister Cities Day. During the meeting, the representatives of the diplomatic corps, accredited in our city, donated history and culture books about their countries to Odessa’s libraries.

Adapted from: Official site of Odessa city