While driving into and out of town, you may have noticed a sign announcing your city is partnered or twinned with a city abroad. Like most people, you probably haven’t thought much about your town’s sister city, but these international partnerships can be both entertaining and useful.
Here are 5 American cities partnered with cities in the FSU and what these partnerships can mean for you.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has not one, but two, sister cities in the FSU – Kiev, Ukraine and Moscow, Russia. According to ChicagoSisterCities.com, Chicago celebrates these partnerships with a number of special events, including Russia Day festivities, Russian spaceflight commemorations, international festivals, and more. Keep an eye on the Moscow and Kiev pages to learn more about upcoming events.
Other Illinois cities partnered with cities in Russia and the Ukraine include:
- Belleville, IL - Brovary, Ukraine
- Rockford, IL - Brovary, Ukraine
- Bloomington–Normal, IL – Vladimir, Russia
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida is partnered with St. Petersburg, Russia (where else). The International Relations Committee of St. Pete, FL organizes a number of cultural events and exchanges, including a few centered on Russia. Check out their website for more information.
Other Florida cities partnered with cities in Russia and the Ukraine include:
- Pensacola, FL - Gorlivka, Ukraine
- Sarasota, FL – Vladimir, Russia
- Tallahassee, FL – Krasnodar, Russia
Dallas, Texas
Dallas has five international sister cities, including Saratov, Russia and Riga, Latvia. Dallas/Fort Worth’s World Affairs Council organizes a number of special events and programs, including WorldFest, WorldQuest, international education programs, and more.
Other Texas cities partnered with cities in Russia and the Ukraine include:
- Grand Prairie, TX - Kalush, Ukraine
- College Station, TX – Kazan Russia
- Houston, TX - Tyumen, Russia
- Nassau Bay, TX - Star City, Russia
- Plano, TX - Ivanovo, Russia
- Tooele, TX - Kambarka, Russia
Los Angeles, California
St. Petersburg, Russia is one of L.A.’s sister cities, and The Los Angeles- St. Petersburg Sister City Committee presents a number of Russian-themed cultural events throughout the year, including “film festivals, exclusive premieres, world class ballets, art exhibits, and musical evenings with some the Russia's most established and emerging musical artists.” The Committee’s annual Russian Winter Ball is the highlight of the year.
Other California cities partnered with cities in Russia and the Ukraine include:
- Davis, CA – Uman, Ukraine
- Modesto, CA - Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine
- Santa Barbara, CA – Yalta, Ukraine
- Santa Cruz, CA – Alushta, Ukraine
- Santa Rosa, CA – Cherkasy, Ukraine
- Sebastopol, CA – Chyhyrn, Ukraine
- Sonoma, CA – Kaniv, Ukraine
- Berkeley, CA – Dmitrov, Ulan-Ude, Russia
- Livermore, CA - Snezhinsk, Russia
- Long Beach, CA – Sochi, Russia
- Los Altos, CA - Syktyvkar, Russia
- Oakland, CA - Nakhodka, Russia
- Orange, CA - Novo Kosino, Moscow, Russia
- San Bernardino, CA - Zavolzhye, Russia
- San Diego, CA - Vladivostok, Russia
- San Jose, CA - Yekaterinburg, Russia
- Union City, CA - Troisk, Russia
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, NY is partnered with Tver, Russia; Drohobych, Ukraine; and Horlivka, Ukraine. These partnerships have inspired a number of cultural events featuring food, music, dance, art, and more. Visit the City of Buffalo website to learn more.
Other New York cities partnered with cities in Russia and the Ukraine include:
- Corning, NY – Lviv, Ukraine
- Irondequoit, NY – Poltava, Ukraine
- Yonkers, NY – Ternopil, Ukraine
- Albany, NY – Tula, Russia
- Binghamton, NY – Borovichi, Russia
- Rochester, NY – Novgorod, Russia
- Saratoga Springs, NY – Chekhov, Russia
Need a way to break the ice with one of the lovely ladies on HRB? Find a woman in your town’s sister city! It’s a fun and easy way to get a conversation going, plus the partnership may offer useful programs, events, exchanges, and more.