October 2024
Sister Cities of Delray Beach participated in “DO GOOD DELRAY” with showcase of art and culture “Bridging Cultures: A Sister Cities Celebration” at The Arts Warehouse
“Bridging Cultures: A Sister Cities Celebration,” a vibrant cultural event showcasing the rich relationships between Delray Beach and its four sister cities took place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at the ArtsWarehouse, as part of the Delray Beach Chamber’s “Do Good Delray” October initiative.
Sponsored by Simon and Schmidt, PA, Attorneys at Law, this celebration invited the community to learn about and immerse themselves in the diverse cultures of Delray Beach’s four sister cities: Miyazu Japan, Moshi Tanzania, Pesaro Italy and Aquin Haiti.
The afternoon included a series of special demonstrations and presentations of food and cultural practices:
- 3:00 PM: Experience the tranquility of a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.
- 4:00 PM: Savor the aromatic spices of Chai from Tanzania.
- 5:00 PM: Enjoy a rich, flavorful Haitian Coffee Brew.
- 6:00 PM: Learn the art of Italian cuisine during an Italian Food Demonstration.
Adding a local touch, artists from the ArtsWarehouse presented their specially created pieces, each representing one of Delray Beach’s sister cities. Featured artists included:
- Jocelyn Chemel, who collaborated with middle school students from Plumosa School of the Arts to create stamped Kanga fabrics reflecting the culture of Tanzania.
- Sarah E. Huang, whose artwork embodied the essence of Japan, created a work on-site inspired by Miyazu’s Amanohasidate.
- Dominique Denis, who represented the spirit of Haiti in sculpture and presented a descriptive historical visual slide show.
- Kelley Ryan, who captured the vibrant colors of Italy in her meticulous and detailed painting.
“Bridging Cultures is an incredible opportunity to celebrate Delray Beach’s international friendships and learn a bit about their rich traditions,” notes Sister Cities of Delray Beach’s President Daphney Antoine. “Many people don’t even know that Delray has special relationships with these cities. We invite everyone to join us for an afternoon of art, culture, and community connection.”
The event was free and open to the public, making it an accessible and enriching experience for all ages. On exhibit was art and artifacts from the four sister cities countries, and attendees had the chance to meet the artists, engage with the demonstrations like sampling coffee, chai, sausage and cheese, and take part in discussions about the significance of sister city relationships.
June 2024
Sister Cities of Delray Beach Student Ambassadors return from inspirational trip to Miyazu and Kyoto, Japan
Our Sister Cities Student Ambassadors had a truely life-changing and inspirational trip. It was a wonderfully exciting week including home-stay and school attendance with a Japanese high school host student, bonding with their family, touring the Miyazu area, trying new food and embracing local customs. Our Ambassadors also had an important meeting with the Mayor of Miyazu, Masafumi Kinosaki. They presented the Mayor with an art piece from Delray Beach local artist, Landis Carey. Other events during the week included rowing on a crew team, learning the art of Ikebana, and trying their hand at cleaning and preparing fresh seafood. At the end of their stay there was a fun and emotional Farewell Reception presented by the Miyazu Friendship Committee. Then our Ambassadors toured the ancient capital, Kyoto, for a couple of days with Delray Beach chaperones Tony Durante and Nancy King.
May 2024
Student Ambassadors Receive Official Proclamation from Delray Beach Mayor Carney
The Sister Cities of Delray Beach Student Ambassadors were given an official Proclamation from Mayor Carney on May 21, 2024 at the Delray Beach Commission meeting. We are so appreciative of the support from the Mayor and all Delray Beach Commissioners.
This is the tenth group of student ambassadors heading to our sister city, Miyazu, Japan. The Ambassadors are: Emma, Emily, Katlynn, Leah, and Daniel. They embark on this journey, promoting friendship and understanding through cultural exchange. Established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, our Sister City Program continues to build bridges of peace and global cooperation. Our Student Ambassadors leave for Miyazu, Japan on June 7th. Join us in wishing them safe travels – Anzen’na ryokō
April 2024
March 2024
Rotary Club of Delray Beach recognizes Student Ambassadors
Our Student Ambassadors, Leah, Daniel, Katelynn and Emily, who will be traveling to Japan this June, made a presentation about what they are learning in preparation for their trip to the Rotary Club of Delray Beach. Daniel also played his sax to entertain the crowd.
Thank you to Rotary President Nick Basiaga and President-Elect Tina Stawicki for their hospitality and for presenting the Student Ambassadors with recognition certificates.
Pictured here are our Student Ambassadors: Leah Green, Daniel Halpern, Emily Joseph and Katelynn Foster – along with Atlantic High School teacher Stacey Stephens-Miller; Nancy King, who is both a Rotarian and a Sister Cities Board Member; Tony Durante, who is our Japanese Cultural Instructor and Sister Cities Board Member; and Pauline Zaros, Sister Cities Vice President.
January 2024
Our Student Ambassadors hosted a Pot Luck Dinner for families and board members, at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, demonstrating their Japanese language skills and sharing some of the information they have learned in their weekly Japanese culture classes. Daniel also provided some entertainment on the sax!
2023-2024 ONGOING
Sister Cities of Delray Beach has kicked-off our BRAVO BUCKS FUNDRAISER, in support of our Student Ambassadors’ trip to Miyazu, Japan in 2024.
Bravo Bucks are an amazing, and proven effective tool for teaching and managing chores and daily tasks. This new twist on allowances helps parents teach children how to work towards something they want, while also learning how to accomplish chores and various tasks that are set by each family. Bravo Bucks comes complete with suggested tasks categorized by age, a weekly tracking chart, and lots of colorful “bucks” that vary in denomination.
This is a fun game-like system that, while aimed at families, can also be used in the classroom. It’s a must-have for teachers, day care, and babysitters, too!
We are currently selling Bravo Bucks kits for a $20 donation – or two for $30. Schools and organizations that are interested in bulk pricing should call 561-702-5061.
If you are interested in purchasing a Bravo Bucks set, please email scofdbrsvp@gmail.com.
October 2023
2023/2024 Student Exchange Ambassadors to Japan Selected
Sister Cities of Delray Beach is excited to announce that our selection committee has chosen four outstanding students from Atlantic Community High School to represent Delray Beach and travel to Japan in 2024 as part of our ongoing exchange with Miyazu, Japan. The students selected are: Katelyn Foster, Leah Green, Daniel Halpern and Emily Joseph. They will be joined on the trip by previously selected ambassadors who were unable to travel in 2020, as planned, due to the Covid pandemic.
The chosen ambassadors will spend the year between now and their trip learning about Japan and the specific region they are traveling to, how to speak some Japanese and read it as well, familiarizing themselves with Japanese customs and etiquette, and more.
The first student exchange between Miyazu and Delray Beach took place in 1999. Since then, a group of student ambassadors from Delray Beach has visited Miyazu every two years to continue the exchange of cultural understanding and friendship. Miyazu sends a group of their own student ambassadors to Delray Beach every few years as well.
July 2023
Celebrating our 45th Anniversary Sister City bond with Miyazu Japan
Sister Cities of Delray Beach board member, Tony Durante, was in Japan, and met with Miyazu Mayor Masafumi Kizaki in July, 2023. On behalf of Delray Beach and our amazing 45 years of our Sister Cities relationship with Miyazu, Mr. Durante presented Mayor Kizaki with a glass sculpture inscribed with “45th Anniversary of Sister Cities, Unwavering Ties Between Miyazu and Delray Beach, September 29, 1977-Present.” Also included in gift-giving was a book made by a student ambassador from our last exchange program that documented their trip to Miyazu.
We are extremely proud of this 45th anniversary milestone, and look forward to many more years of cultural and educational exchanges and programs between Delray Beach and Miyazu.