Symbol of Friendship Display Unveiled to Honour Windsor’s Twin Cities

Mayor Drew Dilkens was joined by members of City Council, members of the City’s International Relations Committee (IRC), and a group of community members to unveil a new Symbol of Friendship Display to honour and recognize the City of Windsor’s twin (or sister) cities.

This unique installation has been seven years in the making, from concept and design to installation and unveiling, with the International Relations Committee working closely with the Parks & Facilities Design & Development team to bring the vision to life. Located on the south side of the City Hall Square campus, between 350 City Hall Square West and 400 City Hall Square East, a 25-foot pole has been installed and holds an individual sign for each of Windsor’s twelve twin cities. Each sign includes the twin city name, country, flag, and distance from Windsor. The signs are orientated to point towards each of the twin cities, arranged in order of when the twinning relationship was established. There is ample room beneath the existing signs for more to be added in the future.

The installation is valued at $31,000, with $14,000 contributed by the IRC, and $17,000 contributed from Parks and Facilities. The project is part of the City’s 2024 capital budget, which invests $23.5 million in parks, facilities, and recreation across the city; and the 2024 operating budget, which allocates $46.2 million towards parks, facilities, and recreation operations. Looking forward, the 10-year capital plan will invest more than $184.5 million in City parks, arenas, and recreation in Windsor.

The celebratory unveiling included local representatives with connections to Windsor’s twin cities, including the Essex County Chinese Canadian Association; Rodrigo Báez, Head Consul of Mexico in Leamington; Teutonia Club; Polish Canadian Business and Professional Association of Windsor; St. Nicholas Macedonian Orthodox Church Community Centre; Korean Society of Windsor; ACFO Régionale Windsor-Essex-Chatham-Kent; Chinese Association of Greater Windsor, El Salvador Association of Windsor, Fogolar Furlan Club of Windsor and a visiting delegation of students from Misono Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School in Fujisawa, Japan.

From 1956 to the present day, the City of Windsor has entered into twin city relationships with twelve cities across the globe, including the following:

• Granby, Canada (1956)
• Coventry, England (1963)
• St. Etienne, France (1963)
• Udine, Italy (1977)
• Mannheim, Germany (1980)
• Ohrid, Macedonia (1981)
• Las Vueltas, El Salvador (1987)
• Fujisawa, Japan (1987)
• Changchun, China (1992)
• Saltillo, Mexico (1994)
• Lublin, Poland (2000)
• Gunsan, South Korea (2004)

Windsor’s twin city relationships are looked after primarily through the City’s IRC, whose goals and objectives are to support the efforts of Mayor and Council in the enhancement of Windsor’s international image; promote and enhance Windsor’s relationship with twin cities; and support international education, cultural, sport and economic initiatives and exchanges. The committee also devotes its energies towards the exploration of potential new or emerging twin city relationships where there is a desire to twin based on a strong local community commitment, and where long-term valuable exchanges are realized. The IRC is composed of eight members, including members of Windsor City Council and local citizens.

Over the years, highlights of Windsor’s twin city relationships and exchanges include, but are not limited to the following:

• Establishment of the seven-acre Coventry Gardens along the waterfront in honour of Coventry, England
• Planting of several cherry blossom trees as a gift from Fujisawa, Japan, across the city, including outside of City Hall, Jackson Park and Gateway Park
• Receipt of the donated Goat Fountain from Lublin, Poland, located in Centennial Park along the riverfront path as part of the Windsor Sculpture Park collection
• Receipt of the donated Udine Friulian Fountain, from Udine, Italy, located near Dieppe Gardens along the waterfront
• Receipt of monetary donation from the Korean Society of Windsor for the establishment of the Gunsan, South Korea, Gardens located in Jackson Park, in honour of Gunsan, South Korea
• Annual visit from Fujisawa, Japan, delegation from Misono Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School students
• Annual Children’s Art Exhibition that features and celebrates creative works of art by local children alongside works collected from Windsor’s twin cities
• Participation from some of Windsor’s twin cities in the City’s milestone 125th birthday celebration (2017)

Quotes: 

“The City of Windsor is proud of our strong twin city relationships that include communities across the globe. These friendships aid in the exchange of ideas and delegations to help build a progressive and prosperous future for all connected cities. We see the impact of these relationships through regular reciprocated visits of official delegations, event collaborations, special keepsake exchanges, and gathering together for memorable celebrations. These bonds have a positive impact on Building Windsor’s Future, through our local economy, on investments and initiatives, and on supporting a more resilient and diverse community for all. Thanks to the International Relations Committee and the City’s Parks and Facilities and Council Services departments for their work to bring this important installation to life, and to all the individuals and community organizations who continue to support Windsor’s twin city relationships year after year.” – Mayor Drew Dilkens

“The Twin City Symbol of Friendship Display exemplifies the diversity of the city of Windsor, showcases our strong connection with our twin cities, and honours the spirit of friendship and collaboration that shines through our welcoming and inclusive community.” – Ward 7 Councillor Angelo Marignani, Chair, International Relations Committee

Visit www.CityWindsor.ca to learn more about Windsor’s Twin Cities and the City’s International Relations Committee.