Baltimore Sister Cities

Asia North: A Celebration of Art, Culture & Community

Flower graphic with text label:Asia North: A Celebration of Art, Culture & Community

April 10 – May 15 | Exhibition and Virtual Festival

Celebrate art, culture, and the Korean history and heritage of Baltimore’s Charles North community. Regional AAPI artists and organizations present an exhibit and virtual festival including artist talks, performances, cooking demonstrations, and art workshops.

Program includes:

See full program and details on Asian Arts & Culture Center events page.

Presented by Towson University Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership. Promoted by Baltimore Sister Cities’ Asian committees (Changwon, South Korea; Kawasaki, Japan; Xiamen, China). The Changwon and Kawasaki sister city committees are contributing cultural performances to the program.

Towson University Asian Arts and Culture Center logo - 50th year anniversary

Architecture & Urban Design Webinars

Baltimore and Rotterdam waterfronts

This lecture series features speakers from the U.S.A. about Baltimore’s cityscape and urban design, and speakers from the Netherlands about innovative construction materials and circular design systems such as reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling in the built environment. Lectures are 1 hr followed by 20 min discussion with Q&A. Open to the public. Admission is free. Advance registration required.

SCHEDULE

(subject to change)

FEBRUARY 8 | Reinventing the Industrial Legacy City: Baltimore

Klaus Philipsen, FAIA, ArchPlan (Baltimore)

This event is past. Video recording: youtu.be/nTBox73wil8

MARCH 8 | A vessel for change: Floating Office Rotterdam

Albert Richters, Powerhouse Company (the Netherlands)

This event is past. Video recording: youtu.be/GDgFNEn_W7s

MARCH 17 | Applying circular economy principles to the built environment

Nico Schouten & Andrew McCue, Metabolic (the Netherlands)

This event is past. Video recording: youtu.be/pm_IRDtKs1I

APRIL 7 | Write it down instead of writing it off: Materials passports for the built environment

Marijn Emanuel, Madaster (the Netherlands)

Originally scheduled for March 15, this event has been MOVED to April 7.

This event is past. Video recording: youtu.be/PzDrvGZpJfQ

APRIL 15 | An Ecology of Equity

April De Simone, Co-Founder, Designing the WE (producers of the Undesign the Redline interactive exhibit, workshop series and curriculum) (USA)

This event is past. Video recording: youtu.be/esT5QCtMYdg

WEBINAR SERIES SPONSORS

Thank you to our bronze-level sponsor: Brennan + Company

Lecture series organized by Cristina Murphy, Assistant Professor at Morgan State University School of Architecture + Planning (MSU SA+P) with assistance from Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee (BRSCC).

Morgan State University School of Architecture logo; Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee logo

Kampai! A Sake Appreciation Event

Film strip with sake cups and a film camera on it

Sake Tasting & Film Screenings

This event is now over

Schedule

  • Feb 5-7, between 5-8pm — Sake sampler pickup dates at participating restaurants in Baltimore region
  • Feb 9 (Tue), 7-8pm — “Why NOW is the time to drink sake” by Monica Samuels. Followed by sake tastings!
  • Feb 10 (Wed) – Feb 12 (Fri) — Kampai! Sake Sisters Film Screening
  • Feb 13 (Sat) – Feb 15 (Mon) — “Koi no shizuku” (For Love’s Sake) Film Screening

About this event

The Baltimore Kawasaki Sister City Committee invites you to join a socially distanced Sake and Film event. We are almost there…. Let‘s Stay Home and enjoy experiencing Japan’s favorite beverage, SAKE!

Registered attendees receive access to all three events: A Virtual Sake Tasting Experience, and TWO Sake Film Screenings.

A complimentary “Sake Sample Set” is available to participants who registered early to pick up from one of our participating restaurants in the Baltimore region. (PLEASE NOTE: There are no more complimentary sake sets left — they were available on a first registered, first served basis and have proven to be very popular!)

If you were chosen for a complimentary set, we will email a sake sample voucher with your restaurant pick-up location in the Baltimore region. Please be sure to pick up your sake set at your designated restaurant on your voucher; restaurants will verify your name on their respective lists. Pick up locations cannot be changed and we will do our best to accommodate your restaurant preferences. We thank you, in advance, for your understanding.

Learn more about sake!

In collaboration with NHK WORLD-JAPAN, we bring to you the additional programs related to sake:
SAKE R-Evolution: A Fever Brewing across the Globe 
SAKE R-Evolution: Heady Milestones in a New Era
And please take the survey after watching NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s programs!

In collaboration with JETRO-Kanagawa, we bring to you the additional programs related to sake:
Crafting the Perfect Sake in Kanagawa

Event details

View event PDF

Participating restaurants

Matsuri logo - Japanese Restaurant & Catering Service
Ramen Utsuke logo
State Fare logo

Organizers and supporters

Presented by: Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee (BKSCC)

Sponsored by: Embassy of Japan in the United States of America

Supported by: Asian Arts & Culture Center at Towson University, Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc. JETRO-NY and Kanagawa Office in NY, NNHK WORLD-JAPAN

Restaurants: Matsuri in Federal Hill, State Fare in Catonsville, Ramen Utsuke in the Inner Harbor

Breweries: Imada Brewery, Izumibashi  Brewery, Tensei Brewery

Jan-Feb | Building a climate-resilient Maryland together

Building a Climate-Resilient Maryland Together (knowledge-exchange symposium). Photos of cities, towns, and coastal regions in Maryland and Netherlands. List of sessions. Logos of the partner organizations.

A knowledge exchange symposium with experts from Maryland and the Netherlands on urban, rural, and coastal resilience, followed by 1on1 resilience chats in the month of February

Maryland and the Netherlands are working together to proactively implement adaptation strategies, exchange lessons learned and best practices, and look for more opportunities to collaborate on climate resilience. There are 2 activities in January – February:

1) January 26 — Symposium

This event with Dutch and USA experts provided an opportunity to learn about innovative adaptation strategies, exchange your ideas on climate-resilience, and participate in lively group discussions with experts who have helped implement world-renowned and transformational resilience projects.

Features presentations on strategies for Coastal Adaptation, Resilient Cities, and Small Communities and breakout sessions on Nature-Based Solutions, Public-Private Partnerships for Resilience Projects, Citizen Engagement in Hazard Mitigation, Resilience Adaptation Manual for Small Communities, Engineering with Nature, and Port Resilience, led by both Dutch and US experts in the private and public sectors.

This event is designed for: product and service companies involved with environmental and water management technologies; architecture/engineering firms; planners; government agencies, economic development professionals and climate/environmental organizations.

Presentation slides and recordings: www.netherlandswaterpartnership.com/events/building-climate-resilient-maryland-together (Scroll to bottom of page to see videos of some of the slides
Event program: www.netherlandswaterpartnership.com/events/building-climate-resilient-maryland-together

2) February — Matchmaking for Maryland & Netherlands flood resilience experts

Ran out of time during the January 26 symposium to set up meetings with experts from Maryland & Netherlands, or did you miss it? Our matchmaking platform lets professionals arrange 1on1 chats with resilience experts throughout the month of February, providing an opportunity for US and Dutch resilience planners and environmental technology firms to network with each other. You do not need to have attended the Jan 26 symposium to participate in the 1on1 chats.

Register here: resilient-maryland-netherlands.b2match.io

This event is organized by the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) in partnership with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Maryland Department of Commerce, and the Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee (BRSCC). It is supported by the Partners for Water Programme.

Zoom backgrounds

These city photos can be used by Baltimore Sister Cities members as backgrounds in meeting platforms such as Zoom.

City photos are listed alphabetically below the instructions.

A. Instructions

Note you will need the latest version of Zoom (client software) installed on your hard drive in order to do this.

To use a photo background in Zoom:

1. See cities further below. Click on link to a city’s photo, to go to its full-size photo. After that, right-click on the city’s full-size photo to get a context menu. Save the image to your hard drive.

2. When you are in a zoom meeting, hover over the bottom of the screen to see bar with video icon, chat icon, etc. Click the arrow icon next to the Video icon:

3. Select “Choose Virtual Background” from the menu:

4. On the Background & Filters screen, Choose the Add button > Add image. Find the city photo on your hard drive and upload it.

Questions? Visit the Zoom help center.

B. City photos

Alexandria, Egypt

Alexandria, Egypt

https://baltimoresistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AlexandriaLibrary-Background.jpg

Baltimore, USA

https://baltimoresistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Baltimore-Background.jpg

Changwon, South Korea

https://baltimoresistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Changwon-Background.jpg

Gbarnga, Liberia

https://baltimoresistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Gbarnga-Background.jpg

Kawasaki, Japan

https://baltimoresistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Kawasaki-Background.jpg

Luxor, Egypt

Luxor, Egypt

https://baltimoresistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Luxor-Background.jpg

Odessa, Ukraine

Ukrainian Independence Day Celebration in Baltimore (Photo: W. F. Bell)

https://baltimoresistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Ukraine-Background.jpg

Piraeus, Greece

Piraeus, Greece

https://baltimoresistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Piraeus-Background.jpg

Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Rotterdam, the Netherlands

https://baltimoresistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rotterdam-Background.jpg

Xiamen, China

Xiamen, China

https://baltimoresistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Xiamen-Background.jpg

Ballot topics for January 29, 2021 BSC Annual Membership Meeting

In the January 29, 2021 annual membership meeting of Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc., (BSC, Inc.) the following items will be submitted for approval by the BSC, Inc. membership (members of BSC board and the constituent sister city committees). The information has been posted on this webpage so that members have a chance to review it before the January 29, 2021 meeting.

A. 2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS REPORT

(for BSC-level activities and activities for the constituent sister city committees)

View proposed 2020 Accomplishments Report (PDF, 1.7mb)

PDF last updated: 2021-01-24 9pm ET

B. 2021 PLAN

(for BSC-level activities and activities for the constituent sister city committees)

View proposed 2021 Plan (PDF, 1.4mb)

PDF last updated: 2021-01-24 9pm ET

C. Board Elections

Below is the list of board directors that represent sister city committees and other organizations on our board, as defined in our bylaws.

Persons in bold font with an asterisk (*) are nominees, up for election this year. These nominations were made by the sister city committees and other organizations represented on our BSC, Inc. board. Opposing nominations, if desired, can be made at the January 29, 2021 annual meeting.

Persons WITHOUT an asterisk are in the middle of their board term and therefore NOT up for reelection this year.

BSC:Changwon (BCSCC) Representative:
Michelle Lee *
Gbarnga (BGSCC) Representative:
Tambi Taylor
Kawasaki (BKSCC) Representative:
Jay Gordon *
Luxor-Alexandria (BLASCC) Representative:
Karen Leggett Abouraya *
Piraeus (BPSCC) Representative:
Diane Homberg
Rotterdam (BRSCC) Representative:
Gary Davison
Xiamen (BXSCC) Representative:
Xin (Cindy) Wang
BDC:Baltimore Development Corporation Representative:
Larry Collins (Director of Foreign Trade Zone)
BOPA:Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts Representative:
Laura Green * (Director of Marketing)
Mayor’s Office:Baltimore Mayor’s Office Representative:
Leslie Carter * (Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Administration)
MIMA:Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Representative:
Catalina Rodriguez-Lima * (Director of MIMA)

Update: Added Leslie Carter and Catalina Rodriguez-Lima to the above list on 2021-01-28 at 2:26 pm ET

Note: Non-voting board members (currently Geri Byrd, Hosea Chew, and Nancy Taylor) are not approved at the Annual Membership Meeting but at the 1st regular board meeting of the year following the annual meeting. This year that board meeting is scheduled for February 24, 2021. BSC officers are also elected at the February 24 meeting. The officer positions to be elected this year are: Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Assistant Secretary.

Xiamen Committee Launches Scholarship Program

Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee Remembers Longtime Treasurer Arella Liu with New Scholarship Program

— November 2020 —

In memory of Arella Liu, the long-time Treasurer of the Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee (BXSCC), who passed away in October 2020 after a brief battle with late-stage cancer, the BXSCC will be establishing a scholarship for Baltimore City youth with a strong interest in China. The scholarship is projected to help fund studies of Chinese language and culture, including potential travel with Sister Cities.

Arella was the originator of the BXSCC’s Youth Ambassadors program and despite, per her preference, not being one of the “faces” of the program, was key in executing the program in the background. She also loved foreign travel and bringing the Chinese language and culture into the lives of the citizens of her adopted hometown of Baltimore.

More details about this scholarship program will be announced in 2021 via the BXSCC website.

Dec 12 / Cookies & Spice & Everything Nice!

Photo collage with Egyptian cookies, ancient Egyptian drawing, Egyptian spices. Photos of the two chefs.

Date: Saturday, December 12, 2020
Time: 11am – 12:30pm ET
Format: Virtual
Admission: Ticketed; advance registration required
More information and to register: Eventbrite page

An online culinary adventure featuring a talk on Egyptian cuisine, spices and cookies plus live baking, recipes and date cookies for everyone. Event features:

  • Renowned Chef Amy Riolo, one of the world’s foremost authorities on culinary culture, will share the history of cookies, Egyptian cuisine and spices.
  • Entrepreneur Chef Aida Mady will be baking live in her own kitchen while you watch – sharing her recipe and techniques for date cookies.
  • Everyone will receive recipes and date cookies to savor.

Proceeds from this culinary adventure benefit Baltimore Luxor Alexandria Sister City Committee, dedicated to fostering international cooperation and exchanges between Baltimore and the Egyptian cities of Luxor and Alexandria.

Dec 2 / Maryland State of the Ports

Photos of container ships, containers, plane, and train; photos of the panel speakers

When: Wednesday, December 2, 2020
4pm ET / Breakout sessions
5pm ET / State of the Ports Panel
Format: Virtual conference
Admission: Free; advance registration required
Register here: www.wtci.org/stateoftheports

About

For more than a decade World Trade Center Institute (WTCI), the State of Maryland, and Ports America Chesapeake have hosted the annual Maryland State of the Ports — a forum where senior transportation officials share an update on the latest results, major infrastructure projects, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Attendees learn about the latest developments at these key regional economic drivers and meet the many companies that help keep the people and cargo moving through our ports. In addition to the State of the Ports, this year’s virtual conference will include two breakout sessions – there is no cost to participate.

Program

4 pm ET / Breakout sessions

  • E-commerce & the Port Economy
  • The Future of Travel

5pm ET / 2020 State of the Ports Address

A panel of leaders at Maryland’s ports will highlight the latest developments and give an inside view of what the future holds. Featuring:

  • Greg Slater — Secretary, Maryland Department of Transportation
  • Bayard Hogans — Vice President, Ports America Chesapeake
  • Ricky Smith — CEO, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
  • Bill Doyle — Executive Director, Port of Baltimore

Attend this event to get the latest developments at Maryland’s ports.

Baltimore Sister Cities encourages people engaged in international commerce to attend this event and learn more about the current conditions and trends at the Port of Baltimore and Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Baltimore Sister Cities is proud to be a co-op partner with WTCI for this event which boasts the region’s largest gathering of port industry representatives.

For more information and to register: www.wtci.org/stateoftheports

Baltimore Sister Cities is a member of WTCI.

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Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc. is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. No goods or services were provided for this gift. Please consult your tax advisor regarding specific questions about your deductions.

 

Web site copyright © 2022 Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc.

logo-baltimoreBaltimore sister city committees operate under the auspices of the City of Baltimore’s Office of the Mayor.

 

Brandon M. Scott, Mayor

 

Previous mayor’s Dec 2015 press release about Baltimore Sister Cities.

 

Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc. is a 501c3 organization incorporated in the State of Maryland.
Member of  Sister Cities International, Maryland Nonprofits, World Trade Center Institute, Visit Baltimore, & affiliate of Maryland International Education Consortium.
Recipient of 2016 Innovation Award from Sister Cities International.