In October 2015, friends old and new joined Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee (BXSCC) in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Baltimore’s sister city relationship with Xiamen, China by welcoming 35 businesses and government officials from Xiamen.

The BXSCC hosted two opportunities to meet one-on-one with the delegation, led by Xiamen Vice Mayor Li Dongliang, consisting of 5 government officials, 6 economic development and education leaders, and 18 companies. Members from the delegation represented industries such as construction/building, energy, industrial manufacturing, logistics, health/medical, and food processing.

BXSCC also hosted the 9th Annual China Town Hall at Baltimore City hall in October. Topics:

• “Chinese Investment in the United States” featuring Former Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin, Huntsville, AL Mayor Sheldon A. Day, & Rhodium Group Founding Partner Daniel H. Rosen
• “A Greater Game: The United States, China, & Russia Redux?” featuring Kissinger Institute on China and the United States Director Robert Daly

More information: bxscc.org/newsandevents

Visit the Baltimore Sister Cities booth at Artscape, Baltimore’s annual free public arts festival — Friday July 15 through Sunday July 17, 2016

During Artscape, the Baltimore Sister Cities organization will have a booth with fun activities for kids related to wind energy, and information about our sister cities around the world.

As a special attraction on Sunday, July 17, Ms. Lifen Weng will demonstrate and exhibit traditional Chinese painting. Ms. Weng is an exchange teacher at Baltimore Design School from Xiamen, Baltimore’s sister city in China.

Sister Cities booth location:

Booth number E22, on the south side of Mount Royal Avenue, on the overpass over Howard Street, near the MICA main building. See map at the bottom of this page.

Festival website

artscape.org

About Artscape

Artscape is America’s largest free arts festival, attracting 350,000+ attendees over three days. Artscape features 150+ fine artists, fashion designers and craftspeople; visual art exhibits on and off-site, including exhibitions, outdoor sculpture, art cars, photography and the Janet & Walter Sondheim Prize; incredible live concerts on outdoor stages; a full schedule of performing arts including dance, opera, theater, film, experimental music and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; family events such as hands-on projects, demonstrations, competitions, children’s entertainers and street theater; and a delicious, international menu of food and beverages that is available throughout the festival site.

This year, Artscape’s theme is “outer space” and features many kid’s activities related to science, technology engineering, and math, in combination with art (STEAM).

Map showing the location of Sister Cities booth

Rotterdam photo: Claire Droppert / Rotterdam Image Bank • Xiamen and Baltimore photos: istockphoto • Postcard design: mdesignbaltimore.com

This summer, Crew 3776 of the Baltimore Area Council, Boy Scouts of America is hosting 6 scouts and 6 leaders from the Kawasaki District of the Scout Association of Japan.  This is an exchange program that has been in place between the sister cities of Baltimore and Kawasaki since 1985 (30 years ago). The exchange program is facilitated by the Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee.

The Scouts from Kawasaki arrive in Baltimore on July 24, 2015. On July 25, there is a Welcome Party and 30th Anniversary Celebration at the War Memorial in Baltimore.  The scouts are staying with families in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area and are spending a week at the Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation.  After camp, the visitors will spend time with their Host Families, make a day trip to New York City, and complete their visit by hosting a Sayonara Party for all those who made their visit special.  They return to Japan on August 6.

Baltimore is launching a new annual arts festival March 28 – April 3, 2016 called Light City Baltimore. Baltimore invites artists to submit proposals for installations and performances that involve light to be installed around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Baltimore Sister Cities strongly encourages artists from Baltimore’s sister cities to submit proposals. A jury will evaluate all the submitted proposals and select the winners. Funds will be provided to the winners.

Deadline for proposals is August 31, 2015. 

lightcity.org/call-for-entry/

There will also be a technology innovation conference and events during this week.

lightcity.org/innovation/

THESE EVENTS ARE NOW OVER

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Visit the Sister City booth at Artscape festival July 17-19 to learn about our sister cities and enjoy fun cultural activities for kids. Our booth is located in front of the Modell Center (the Lyric Opera House).

Artscape is America’s largest FREE arts festival, held every summer in Baltimore. Artscape features art (artists, exhibitions, outdoor sculpture, art cars, end more); performing arts (live concerts on outdoor stages, dance, opera, theater, film, experimental music, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra); family events (such as hands-on projects, demonstrations, competitions, children’s entertainers and street theater); and an international menu of food and beverages.

Festival website: artscape.org

Other art activities happening in July

Baltimore Museum of Art hosts FREE workshops for kids with a Van Gogh theme every Sunday afternoon in July, in honor of the 125th anniversary of Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh’s death. This is a collaboration with the Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee.
Free Family Fun Day schedule

August 25 – October 10, 2025

Walking Together (Art Exhibition)

Date: Exhibition on view until October 10, Mondays-Fridays 10am-5pm.
Reception and Art Walk: September 20, at 4-6pm
Location: Civera Gallery, Notre Dame of Maryland University, University Academic Building, 2nd floor, 4701 N. Charles St. Baltimore MD, 21210
Admission: Free
More Information: www.gormleygallery.com/civeragallery

Curated by Joy Davis, ‘Walking Together‘ brings together three Baltimore-based artists, Shaun Champion, Charles Mason III, and kolpeace, in an exploration of identity, memory and cultural transformation. This exhibition at Notre Dame of Maryland University features three of the artists who participated in the Walk On By exhibition and artists exchange exploring the African diaspora in two historic industrial port cities, Baltimore and Rotterdam. ‘Walking Together‘ is a follow-on project to the interactive station designed by Notre Dame University’s Art Therapy faculty and students at last year’s Walk On By exhibition at Creative Alliance in Baltimore.

Promoted by Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee (BRSCC)

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September 12, 2025

Music from Odesa – A Benefit for Ukraine

Date: Friday Sept 12, 7:00 pm
Location: 2640 Space at 2640 Saint Paul St, Baltimore MD 21218
More Information: Buy Tickets Here

Kommuna Lux, the boy band from Odesa Ukraine, performs brings you the heritage music of their beloved hometown Odesa: “Klezmer, Balkan, and Urban Chanson, with a dash of Ukrainian Folk and powered by rocket fuel, Kommuna Lux impacts the crowd with a nostalgic, high-energy Big Band sound from the bygone days of speakeasies and rum runners” Proceeds from this event supports the Rotary E-Club of Ukraine’s humanitarian relief efforts.

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September 13, 2025

A Baltimorean in Egypt

Date: Saturday, September 13, 12-1:30 pm
Location: 400 Cathedral St, Baltimore MD
Admission: Free
More Information: www.baltimoreegypt.org

Join us at Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore on September 13, 2025 for a talk by Meg Swaney,
Assistant Curator of Exhibitions & Teaching at the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum. The Cohen Collection includes  nearly 700 objects, collected  by Baltimore banker, Col. Mendes Israel Cohen, during his four-month journey through Egypt in 1832.
​
RSVP  to 
davol.jon@gmail.com

Organized by Baltimore-Luxor-Alexandria Sister City Committee.

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September 15–19, 2025

2025 U.S.–Japan Sister Cities Summit

The 2025 U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit (September 16-19, 2025) hosted by Sister Cities International is a milestone event celebrating the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Japan. The summit will bring together 600+ bilateral stakeholders to inspire collaboration, explore new partnerships, and empower the next generation of global leaders. All 460 U.S.-Japan Sister City partners, elected officials, citizen diplomats, and volunteers are invited to the City of Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture under the theme “Celebrating our Legacies, Empowering our Future.”

More information: sistercities.org/sci-japan

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September 19, 2025

Gardens for Peace

Date: Friday Sept 19, 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Location: Towson University’s Asian Arts & Culture Center, 7700 Osler Drive Towson, MD 21204
Admission: Free
More Information: RSVP Link

Kick-off the new school year by cultivating a culture of friendship and community! Join a ceremonial raking of the Japanese word for peace (heiwa) in Asian Arts & Culture Center’s Asian Garden, while collectively envisioning and promoting peace with others. Recognize the International Day of Peace with 27 other Asian Gardens nationwide through Gardens for Peace (G4P) which brings people together to advocate for unity.

Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee is a partner for this event.

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September 20, 2025

Taste of Japan

Date: Saturday, September 20, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Elton Branch of the Cecil County Public Library
Elkton Meeting Room
301 Newark Avenue, Elkton, MD 21921
Admission: Free
More Information: www.bkscc.org/news-events/taste-of-japan

Join us for a celebration of Japanese culture and traditions! This event brings the rich traditions of Japan to life through engaging activities, live performances, and food sampling the whole family can enjoy. All ages are welcome—come explore, learn, and celebrate together! Program includes: Taiko Drumming, Kamishibai Storytelling, Jujutsu Demonstration, Kimono Fashion + Dressing Demonstration, Shakuhachi performance-Bamboo flute.

Co-hosted by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee.

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September 27, 2025

Japan Film Program

The Funeral (お葬式) 1984, dir. by Juzo Itami

Enjoy this comedy film about a family’s preparations for a suddenly deceased husband and father. The Funeral was Juzo Itami’s feature film debut, garnering five Japanese Academy Awards in 1985.

Dates: Saturday, September 27th, 1:00 pm
Location: Towson University’s Center for the Arts, Room CA #2032
Admission: Free; advance registration required.
More Information: https://www.bkscc.org/news-events/japan-film-program

Hosted by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee in partnership with Towson University’s Asian Arts & Culture Center.

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September 27-28, 2025

Ukrainian Festival

Dates: Saturday, September 27, 12-8pm & Sunday, September 28, 12-6pm (Rain or Shine)
Location: St Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, 2400 Eastern Avenue and 500 S. Montford Avenue, Baltimore
Admission: Free
More Information: www.stmichaelukrainiancatholicbaltimore.org

The 48th annual Ukrainian Festival celebrates the culture and heritage of Ukraine, held on the grounds of St Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church. The festival hosts traditional dancers, musicians, singers and other entertainment with an exquisite selection of Ukrainian Food, Ukrainian Beer Garden, Novelty Vendors, Art. and Children’s Area. Ukrainian food is for sale in the kitchen in the lower church hall. This year’s festival coincides with 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Odesa in Ukraine and Baltimore in the USA.

Promoted by Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee.

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September 21, 2025 – March 8, 2025

The Way of Nature: Art from Japan, China, and Korea

Exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA)
For centuries, East Asian cultures have considered human life as part of a much larger system that encompasses the natural world. More than 40 artworks from Japan, China, and Korea demonstrate a way of living where mountains and seas, animals—both wild and supernatural—and plant life and insects are symbolically meaningful and historically pervasive in visual culture. The objects range from delicate 13th-century porcelain to a luminous 18th-century embroidered silk Buddhist Priest’s Robe and large-scale 20th-century photography. Collectively, these works provide a sense of the impulse to fully experience the natural world, as foundational to our existence, as impacted by human life, and as an enduring metaphor for our survival.

More information: artbma.org/exhibition/the-way-of-nature-art-from-japan-china-and-korea

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October 6-10, 2025

Planetary Health conference in Rotterdam

Faculty and staff from Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health (JHIPH) and a Baltimore City delegation traveled to Rotterdam in October 2025 for a research trip, to attend the international Planetary Health Alliance’s Annual Meeting (PHAM) and to participate in a custom program of meetings and site visits in Rotterdam and Delft on themes of multi-functional nature-based solutions, water storage, flood resilience, public health, and more — to bring back ideas and inspiration for a healthier and more resilient future in Baltimore. More information: About the Baltimore delegation to Rotterdam

Held every 18 months, the Planetary Health Annual Meeting aims to connect the global Planetary Health community, seek solutions for the grand challenges facing humanity, and provide tools and drivers to support systemic change. The theme of this year’s conference is “Planetary Health for All and In All: Boosting urgency and agency for systems change.” It is co-hosted by Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management of the Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA). PHA’s Secretariat is located at Johns Hopkins University’s campus in Washington, DC. Johns Hopkins has an Institute for Planetary Health in Baltimore city. More information: Planetary health conference | Planetary Health Alliance | Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health

Promoted by Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee.

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October 8, 2025

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Send Off Concert 

Date: Wednesday, October 8th
Time: 5:00 pm arrival, 5:30 – 6:15 pm program; 6:15 pm refreshments
Location: Baltimore City Hall Rotunda
100 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Admission: Free

The BXSCC is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Baltimore-Xiamen relationship this year. 

This fall, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is sending a delegation of five musicians to China to represent the Baltimore Symphony, City of Baltimore, and State of Maryland. In addition to special concerts and cultural exchanges in Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Xi’an, the tour includes a performance in Xiamen celebrating the long-standing sister city relationship between Xiamen and Baltimore.

The pleasure of your company is requested for a special Send Off Concert hosted at Baltimore City Hall. Join us for a preview of the concert program and remarks from special guests.

Guests are welcome. All attendees will need to present government-issued identification to gain entry to Baltimore City Hall.

For more information about the BSO and their international tour, visit BSOmusic.org.

Promoted by Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee.

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October 12, 2025

Japan Day (Fall Festival)

Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: 8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia, MD 21044

Did you know that the State of Maryland and Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan have had a Sister State Relationship for more than 40 years? Join us to explore Japanese culture, performances, and food at Japan Day. This Fall Festival is hosted by the Maryland and Kanagawa Sister State committees along with Misako Ballet, Matcha Time Gift Shop, and the Japanese Area at UMBC.

More information: Event Tickets | BKSCC Facebook Page

Promoted by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee.

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October 25, 2025

Japan Film Program

Tampopo (タンポポ) 1985, dir. by Juzo Itami

A comedy film called the first “ramen Western”, a play on the term spaghetti Western. It received two Japanese Academy awards, and several awards in the United States.

Dates: Saturday, October 25th, 1:00 pm
Location: TBD
Admission: Free; advance registration required.
More Information: https://www.bkscc.org/news-events/japan-film-program

Hosted by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee in partnership with Towson University’s Asian Arts & Culture Center.

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