Kansas City Sister Cities Bridge Series - International Relations Council

Kansas City Sister Cities Bridge Series image

In the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, spanning Brush Creek on the Country Club Plaza, stands the Sister Cities International Bridge. Dedicated in 2000, the bridge is home to the national flags of Kansas City’s 12 sister cities – from Seville, Spain (since 1967) to Yan’an, China (since 2017). 2021 marks the 65th anniversary of the Sister Cities program and offers a timely opportunity to explore the active business, cultural, and educational links that reinforce Kansas City’s vibrant international identity.

The Sister Cities Association of Kansas City and the International Relations Council invite you to join us for a virtual series of monthly conversations with representatives from Kansas City’s sister cities to get to know these communities that bridge Kansas City with the world.

Learn more about the Sister Cities, including the premiere dates of their Bridge Series episodes, below. Once an episode is available, please click the image to be taken to the recording.

Seville, Spain

Seville is the capital of southern Spain’s Andalusia region and was the home of the Expo ’92 World’s Fair. Kansas City was the only city in the U.S. to be invited to exhibit there. Recently Kansas City and Seville celebrated the 50th anniversary of their sisterhood.
EST. 1967

Kurashiki, Japan

Kurashiki is a city on Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. It’s known for the centuries-old buildings and shops of the Bikan Historical Quarter. Kurashiki donated a Japanese Tea Room in Kansas City’s Loose Park in July 2006. The cities celebrated their 45th anniversary in 2017.
EST. 1972

Morelia, Mexico

Morelia is the capital of Michoacán State. The historic downtown is a UN World Heritage site. It has sponsored language and culture training for police officers from the Kansas City Police Department. This sisterhood’s 45th anniversary was celebrated in August 2018.
EST. 1973

France

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, France is well known for its cuisine, arts, and natural and architectural beauty. Founded in 463 AD, France has a fascinating history and remains one of the most influential countries in the modern world. Paris, the capital city, sees over 30 million tourists on a yearly basis.

Tainan, TaiwanComing Soon

Tainan was the ancient capital of Taiwan. The city features a warm climate with business opportunities readily available. It is located on the southwest coast of Taiwan, and served as the island’s capital from 1683–1887 under the Qing dynasty.
EST. 1978

Xi'an, China

Xi’an literally means “Western Peace.” It was one of the Four Ancient Capitals of China, and is now the capital of Shaanxi Province in central China. The Xi’an Sister City Committee is also the originator of the tradition of dragon boat racing tradition each spring on Brush Creek.
EST. 1989

Guadalajara, Mexico

Guadalajara is the capital of the State of Jalisco and the second largest city in Mexico. It is the birthplace of mariachis and charreadas. It’s known for tequila and great music. Guadalajara’s historic center is dotted with colonial plazas and landmarks such as the Teatro Degollado.
EST. 1991

Hannover, GermanyComing Soon

Capital of Lower Saxony with royal heritage, a modern city in the northwest of Germany. Internationally famous Hannover Messe with world’s largest industry and machinery exhibition, thriving economy with international imports and exports, great cultural venues for museums, theaters, sports (soccer), zoo, modern architecture, churches of many different denominations, universities with UMKC collaboration in engineering, music, jazz festival and exchanges with KCJO and Conservatory.
EST. 1993

Port Harcourt, NigeriaComing Soon

With a population of over 1 million, Port Harcourt is the chief oil refining city of Nigeria. Port Harcourt is the capital and largest city of Rivers State, Nigeria. Trips to Port Harcourt involving Kansas City area medical professionals and institutions have been an ongoing interest.
EST. 1993

Arusha, TanzaniaComing Soon

Arusha is the capital of the Arusha Region in North Tanzania. It is located in Tanzania in east Africa. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, 16,100 ft. above sea level. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to diverse wildlife.
EST. 1995

Ramla, IsraelComing Soon

Ramla is a city in central Israel. The city is predominantly Jewish with a significant Arab minority. In an inspirational program called “Let the Children Play,” the Ramla Committee brought together Jewish and Muslim Kansas Citians to collect toys for distribution to children of all faiths in the Ramla area.
EST. 1998

Yan'an, ChinaComing Soon

Yan’an is a prefecture-level city in the Shanbei region of Shaanxi province, China. The Long March ended near Yan’an in 1935 and the City saw the birth of the Chinese Communist Party. Kansas City journalist Edgar Snow was the first western journalist to give a full account of this aspect of Chinese history.
EST. 2017