By Pepper Parr
April 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington, that city on the edge of a lake with an escarpment to the north has links to two cities: Apeldoorn and Itabashi
Each year in spring, the City celebrates the connection with those cities. This year, the city’s Mundialization Committee is hosting two events on May 13 that will honour the cultural bonds we share with our twins.
In the morning, we mark the Canada Netherlands Friendship Day to commemorate the liberation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands by Canadian Armed Forces in 1945.
In the afternoon, we will celebrate the cherry blossoms with the Sakura Festival as they do in Japan. Both events are free and open to all the public, so be sure to attend and enjoy our immersive experience
Canada Netherlands Friendship Day – May 13 – 10 a.m.
Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St.
The Canada Netherlands Friendship Day will celebrate the 18th anniversary of the City of Burlington’s twinning agreement with the city of Apeldoorn. It will also recognize the 78th anniversary of the Netherlands liberation by the Canadian Armed Forces during World War
The Burlington Teen Tour Band lined up along the streets of Appledoor in Holland.
The free event will include:
• Canadian and Dutch national anthems
• Greetings from, Consul General of the Netherlands, Harman Idema; Elizabeth Witmer, former Deputy Premier of Ontario; Mayor Ton Heerts of Apeldoorn; and Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
• Artwork on display from B.T. Lindley Public School and Trinity Christian School
• Art presentation from Nelson High School
• Presentation by Community Pathway Program
• Music from Burlington Teen Tour Band
Members of city staff led by Marianne Med Ward in xxx Japan. City Manager Tim Commisso, center, struts his stuff.
Sakura Festival – May 13 1 p.m.
Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St.
Each spring, the Sakura Festival celebrates the arrival of the beautiful Japanese cherry blossoms. It also recognizes Burlington’s 34-year friendship with its twin city, Itabashi, Japan. The free event will include:
• Greetings from Consul General of Japan, SASAYAMA Takuya and Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
• A Japanese drumming performance from Do Kon Daiko
• A demonstration from Shudokan Family Karate
• Burloak Aikikai Aikido martial arts demonstration
• Japanese dance by Suzuran Odori
• A Koto performance from Logan Scott
• A singing and shamisen performance from Ten Ten Canada, featuring TAKAHASHI Aki
• A performance from dance group Sakuramai
• Taiko (drum), flutes, and shamisen by Nagata Shachu
Also in celebration of Itabashi, Japan, the Taste of Japan event will run at Japanese restaurants in Burlington from May 13 to 31. This event is organized by Tourism Burlington.
