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For
Immediate Release CONTACT: Maine and Aomori Celebrate PORTLAND, ME - On August 4th, the State of Maine and the Aomori Prefecture in Japan celebrated the 10th anniversary of their sister-state relationship. At a grand reception in Aomori City, Governor Mimura spoke of his appreciation for the sister state relationship and the role it has played in furthering educational, cultural and trade ties between Aomori and Maine.
Janine Bisaillon-Cary, Vice President of the Maine International Trade Center, presented Governor Mimura with a 10th anniversary Maine State flag and announced that a Maine-made commemorative granite bench was being delivered "To the people of Aomori celebrating ten years of friendship and cooperation." A personal letter from Governor John Baldacci to Governor Mimura was also presented.
An audience of over 200 people including a Maine delegation from Greely Middle School-Cumberland, Husson College-Bangor, ISF Trading- Portland, and the Maine International Trade Center were in attendance. Traditional songs were sung by both the Japanese students and Maine students, and videos from Governor Baldacci and the Maine Department of Tourism were shown.
"The Aomori group was extremely welcoming and generous," observed Ms. Bisaillon-Cary. "Over the past 10 years, more than 1,600 people have participated in this exchange and the relationship continues to grow on many levels."
The anniversary coincided with the famous Nebuta Festival, where 3.7 million visitors come to participate in a week of parades, music and festivities in Aomori. A special "Maine Fair" was coordinated with the festival where lobsters were sold, and Made-in-Maine products and Maine colleges were featured. A student delegation from Bath Middle School was participating in an exchange with Shariki schools in Aomori and also joined the festivities.
Within the State of Maine, the "Apple and the Pine Tassel" a photo exhibit organized by the Maine-Aomori Sister-State Advisory Council and Maine State Museum is currently on display at the State House, and a student exchange is scheduled with Hall-Dale School- Farmingdale this September.
Additional cultural and trade exchanges are anticipated in 2005. Maine companies and individuals interested in Aomori exchanges should contact Cory Crocker at the Maine International Trade Center (crocker@mitc.com) or Don Nicoll of the Maine-Aomori Sister State Advisory Council (dnicoll@gwi.net). Maine International Trade Center
is a dues-based membership
organization, with offices in Portland, Lewiston and Bangor, ### |
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Maine International Trade Center 511 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101 |
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