Celebrate spring during two free events in May

NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BURLINGTON
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The City of Burlington is celebrating spring with two free events on Saturday, May 11 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Hosted by the Burlington Mundialization Committee, the events are held each year in honour of Burlington’s twin cities, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands and Itabashi, Japan.

This year’s celebrations are extra special as Burlington marks the 35-year anniversary of its twinning with Itabashi.

Details

Canada Netherlands Friendship Day – May 11
10 a.m.
Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St.
The Canada Netherlands Friendship Day will celebrate the 19th anniversary of the City of Burlington’s twinning agreement with the city of Apeldoorn. It will also recognize the 79th anniversary of the Netherlands liberation by the Canadian Armed Forces during World War 2. The free event will include:

• Canadian and Dutch national anthems
• Greetings from, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Harman Idema; Elizabeth Witmer, former Deputy Premier of Ontario; and Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
• Artwork on display from Alton Village Public School and Trinity Christian School
• Remarks from a local Dutch family, living in Burlington
• Music from Burlington Teen Tour Band
• Light refreshments

Sakura Festival – May 11
1 p.m.
Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St.
Each spring, the Sakura Festival celebrates the arrival of the beautiful Japanese cherry blossoms. This year, the City is also recognizing the 35-year anniversary of its friendship with our twin city, Itabashi, Japan. The free event will feature:

• Greetings from Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Consul General of Japan MATSUNAGA Takeshi
• Opening performance by Burlington’s Do Kon Daiko Japanese drumming group
• Karate, aikido and iaido demonstrations
• A performance by the internationally renowned taiko group Nagata Shachu
• Suzuran odori (traditional dance) performances
• Closing with exhilarating yosakoi dance by Sakuramai Toronto.

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