Celebrating the cultural vibrancy of Chicago’s robust relationships with cities around the world, Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI) presents the eighth annual Chicago Sister Cities International Festival. A rich variety of authentic ethnic food, merchandise and entertainment will enliven the downtown Loop with the tastes, sights and sounds of Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods born from cities throughout the global community.
The Chicago Sister Cities International Festival takes place Monday through Friday, August 5–9, 2013 from 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. on Richard J. Daley Plaza. Live musical and dance performances take place from 12 noon–1 p.m. each day. The festival is free and open to the public.
Since its inception in 1960, CSCI has been building the cultural, social and economic connections between Chicago and the world that continue to enrich the city’s ethnic roots. By branching out to a present total of 28 sister cities around the world since its first partnership with Warsaw, Poland, CSCI represents Chicago as a global city to the world with the largest program of its kind in the United States. Each year since 2006, the Chicago Sister Cities International Festival has created an international village filled with food, music, dance and merchants in an annual recognition of these accomplishments.
On Wednesday, August 7, the festival will celebrate “Chicago Consular Corps Day” in honor of the 80 countries that make up Chicago’s Consular Corps and to commemorate the all-inclusive international relationships that CSCI creates around the world.
This year’s festival also includes a special photography exhibition in the lobby of the Richard J. Daley Center presented by the Osaka, Japan Committee of CSCI, 絆 Kizuna 2: The Bonds of Emotion. The photographic exhibition highlights recovery efforts of the Japanese people since the March 11, 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami. Highlights include photos and stories from Chicagoans who took part in recovery efforts or were living in Japan at the time of the earthquake; user-submitted photos from those living in the affected Japanese region; and photos from the archive of The Nikkei, the leading Japanese business newspaper.
Food Vendors
Las Tablas representing Bogota, Colombia
Korean Kitchen representing Busan, Republic of Korea
Caffe Gelato representing Milan, Italy
Shokolad Pastry and Café representing Kyiv, Ukraine
Kasia’s Deli representing Warsaw, Poland
Merchandise Vendors
Out of Africa representing Accra, Ghana
Pallay Crafts representing Bogota, Colombia
Karisus Design Studio representing Delhi, India
Koru Street representing Delhi, India
Because I like it! representing Galway, Ireland
E & J Designs representing Mexico City, Mexico
No Manches Clothing representing Mexico City, Mexico
Designs by Gina representing Milan, Italy
Provence Village Ltd representing Paris, France
Designs by Tova representing Petach Tikva, Israel
Jan Lee Design representing Shanghai, China
Oriental Arts Center representing Shenyang, China
Made in Lithuania (Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture and Old Vilnius Cafe) representing Vilnius, Lithuania
Amber Treasures representing Warsaw, Poland
Global Elements representing the Global Community
Ten Thousand Villages representing the Global Community
Performers include W. Side Story/AfriCaribbean Connections—a Gallery 37, After School Matters program representing Durban, South Africa; Shariq Sidz representing Lahore, Pakistan; Sam Burckhardt Quartet representing Lucerne, Switzerland; and other performers to be announced at a future date with the full schedule.
For the complete festival schedule and updates, visit ChicagoSisterCities.com, follow us on Twitter (@ChiSisterCities) or “Like” us on Facebook, Facebook.com/ChicagoSisterCities.
Chicago Sister Cities International
Chicago Sister Cities International, a division of World Business Chicago, provides leadership to develop, manage and coordinate comprehensive programs and projects with Chicago’s sister cities. It aims to increase international trade, promote economic development and support exchanges in the fields of arts and culture, education, health, social services, environment and technology with its sister cities for the benefit of the City of Chicago, its residents and businesses.
Chicago’s 28 sister cities include: Accra, Ghana (1989); Amman, Jordan (2004); Athens, Greece (1997); Belgrade, Serbia (2005); Birmingham, United Kingdom (1993); Bogota, Colombia (2009); Busan, Republic of Korea (2007); Casablanca, Morocco (1982); Delhi, India (2001); Durban, South Africa (1997); Galway, Ireland (1997); Gothenburg, Sweden (1987); Hamburg, Germany (1994); Kyiv, Ukraine (1991); Lahore, Pakistan (2007); Lucerne, Switzerland (1998); Mexico City, Mexico (1991); Milan, Italy (1973); Moscow, Russia (1997); Osaka, Japan (1973); Paris, France (1996); Petach Tikva, Israel (1994); Prague, Czech Republic (1990); Shanghai, China (1985); Shenyang, China (1985); Toronto, Canada (1991); Vilnius, Lithuania (1993); and Warsaw, Poland (1960).
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