Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher addresses the 21 member delegation from Lahr Germany, as the two cities mark the 45th anniversary of their partnership. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
The City of Belleville has officially welcomed a 21 member delegation from its twin city in Lahr Germany.
The five day visit marks the 45th anniversary of the friendly partnership, which began in 1972, when the Canadian Forces were operating an airport in that city.
Mayor Taso Christopher tells Quinte News it’s great to see the connection between the cities stay so strong after all these years.
Councillor Jackie Denyes was one of the main organizers of the trip and says visitors will be staying with local families, helping them to experience what it’s like to live, work and play in the Friendly City.
The delgates will tour CFB Trenton on Thursday before heading to Ottawa for a look at Parliament Hill and a meeting with MP Neil Ellis on Friday and wrapping the visit with a dinner at Dinkel’s in downtown Belleville on Saturday.
The City of Belleville does a cultural city exchange every other year, with either Lahr or Gunpo South Korea, but Denyes says councillors won’t be going overseas next year because of a municipal policy preventing exchange visits during an election year.
Members of Belleville and Lahr, Germany City Councils cut a commemorative cake, marking the 45th anniversary of their partnership. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
