Burnaby got its first sister when delegates from Kushiro, Japan visited the city in 1965.
Reeve Alan Emmott signed an exchange affiliation agreement with the delegation, which was renewed at the 25th anniversary in 1990, according to a city staff report.
This summer, the city will be honouring this half-century sibling relationship with help from the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre.
Burnaby council approved $8,000 in funding for the festivities at Monday night’s council meeting.
The city is hosting a delegation from Kushiro from July 7 to 11, and the Nikkei Centre is arranging activities to mark the occasion, according to the report.
The Nikkei Matsuri Festival in September will also share the story of the sister city relationship with the public, the report stated.
The third annual Japanese culture festival will take place on Sept. 5 and 6.
Click here for more on the festival.
