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Annapolis Participates in Sister City Program

Annapolis, MD--Its all relative. Call it "Sister City," "Town Twinning," "Friendship Towns," "Partner Towns."  Whatever the term, it remains the same concept…The fostering of cultural and economic collaborations between municipalities, usually internationally. These cities choose each other on the basis of one or more similar demographic, characteristic, or historical ties and agree by ordinance to participate. They look to each other for assistance and advice on matters including governance, healthcare, housing, and just about anything else facing a city today. The City of Annapolis, Maryland, is proud to take part in this program, partnering with sixteen international cities.

According to the Sister Cities International website (www.sister-cities.org), “Sister city, county and state affiliations between the United States and similar jurisdictions around the world began shortly after World War II, and developed into a national initiative when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed a people-to-people program at a White House conference in 1956.  Originally a part of the National League of Cities (NLC), Sister Cities International became a separate, nonprofit corporation in 1967, due to the tremendous growth and popularity of the Sister City movement.”

Annapolis first began as a Sister City in 1980, partnering with Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada.  Since then, Annapolis has twinned with many other cities, including Wexford, Ireland; Dumfries, Scotland; Tallin, Estonia; Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Rochefort, France; Richmond, North Yorkshire; and Newport, Wales, as well as cities in South Korea, Sweden, Italy, Gambia, and Russia. In addition, Annapolis has letters of interest with the cities of Changsha, China and Tangier, Medina in Morocco, and Hamilton, Bermuda.

As an international maritime center, state capitol and county seat, as well as a main tourism area, Annapolis has a lot of knowledge to share. On the other hand, when Annapolis seeks information on international ideas, cultural, educational, and heritage issues, her Sister Cities are an excellent resource. The cities also promote each other as a source of marketing and goodwill. For example, April 6, 2007, was declared Annapolis Tartan Day to recognize the continuing link with the citizens of Dumfries, Scotland and the Scottish flag was flown over city hall to mark the day. Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia sent a contingent to Annapolis, Maryland this past June to participate in the Kinships and Windships weekend, a predecessor to the celebrations being planned for 2008 that will see over 4 million people visiting Annapolis, Maryland for their 300th anniversary.  Annapolis Royal includes several pages on their website (www.annapolisroyal.com) documenting the sister relationship with Maryland and the event. Other Sister City marketing efforts include Jinhae (Chinhae), South Korea, proudly listing Annapolis on its online homepage and Newport, Wales displaying a highway sign upon entering the city denoting its sister link with Annapolis. Additionally, Wexford, Ireland and Annapolis are recognized as twinned cities on the Sister City International website.

Recently visiting several of Annapolis’ Sister Cities, Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer called the program “cultural mentoring,” and was surprised to find that affordable housing was a common issue. Her visits to each country are an important part of reaching out and personally showing support and a willingness to learn about each Sister City.  

After visiting Wales, the Mayor solidified Annapolis’ ties with the country and writes on her online blog:

Our links with Wales are solid. I look forward to our friends’ visit in 2008. Perhaps we can present the Mayor with two white swans to meet his dream for Newport’s bird refuge. Perhaps we can share our 30 year archeology program recording the 300 year history of Annapolis.

And, while in Wexford Ireland, Mayor Moyer learns of a cultural connection:

Nearby and now owned by the County of Wexford is Duncannon Fort, a fortress for over 1,000 years. Duncannon is also the name given to the racehorse who won the first Jockey Club Trophy, the Annapolis Subscription Plate, in Annapolis in 1745.

With over twenty years as a Sister City, Annapolis, Maryland proves the value of international partnerships through exchanges of cultural, educational, and historical knowledge and first-hand experiences. Annapolis will continue to strengthen its ties to its sixteen global partners through mutual visits, events, and exchanges of ideas and information. Through these bonds Annapolis will further its Sister City mission of creating a force for international cooperation and understanding through community involvement and people-to-people relationships.