Chicago Sister Cities event a success, 27 cities represented

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Natalie Campbell, Lisa Xia
Phone: 312.744.2172, 312.744.9181
Cell: 312.718.1186
E-mail: natalie.campbell@cityofchicago.org, lisa.xia@cityofchicago.org


CHICAGO SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
ON DALEY PLAZA, JUNE 15 – 18, 2009


CHICAGO, IL (June, 2009) – The Chicago Sister Cities International Program hosted its 4th Annual Chicago Sister Cities International Festival on Daley Plaza on June 15-18, 2009. With all 28 of our international sister cities represented, this is the only city festival that truly represented the diversity and international spirit that exists in Chicago.

As part of this year’s festival, Daley Plaza was transformed into an international village featuring authentic ethnic food, merchandise and entertainment from around the world. Visitors to the festival were able to taste Colombian empanadas and Serbian hamburgers, purchase antique African art or beaded jewelry, all while watching acrobats visiting from China, traditional Ukrainian dancers or a Japanese Koto group.

The festival featured an “International Summer Social” on Wednesday, June 17. Evening entertainment included: Chicago Aissawa Project (belly dancing) and the Choom Sarang Korean Dance Group. Guests also enjoyed culinary demos with Chef Pierre Pollin, highlighting cuisine from Paris, France.

Performances Included:

Monday, June 15, 2009
Cirque Shanghai representing Shanghai, China
Skotiabank Caribana representing Toronto, Canada
ELLAS Greek Dancers representing Athens, Greece

Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Skotiabank Caribana representing Toronto, Canada
“Grandis” Folk Dance Ensemble representing Vilnius, Lithuania
Ngoma Alegre with Tierra Colombiana Folk Dancers representing Bogotá, Colombia
Cooking demo with Chef Dina Altieri representing Moscow, Russia

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 – EXTENDED HOURS!
Cesky Svaz Rock and Rullu representing Czech Republic, Prague
Sam Burckhardt Quartet representing Lucerne, Switzerland
Chicago Koto Group representing Osaka, Japan
Cooking demo with Chef Chris Quirk representing Hamburg, Germany

Thursday, June 18, 2009
Hromovytsia Ukrainian Dance Ensemble representing Kyiv, Ukraine
World Fashion Chicago celebrates Africa representing Accra, Ghana
Rhythms of India (Jai Ho) representing Delhi, India
Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago representing Gothenburg, Sweden
Cooking demo with Chef Leo Waldmeier representing Lucerne, Switzerland


Food Vendors Included:
Sandy’s Bakery representing Belgrade, Serbia
Mazzone’s Snack Foods representing Milan, Italy
Phil Stefani’s 437 Rush representing Milan, Italy
Kasia’s Deli representing Warsaw, Poland
Las Tablas representing Bogotá, Colombia
Stella’s Market & Catering, Global
Shokolad Pastry and Café Inc. representing Kyiv, Ukraine
Bowl Square representing Busan, Republic of Korea
Kendall College, Global

Merchandise Vendors Included:
What the Traveler Saw representing Accra, Ghana
E & J Designs representing Mexico City, Mexico
Oriental Art Center representing Shenyang, China
Arabah representing Petach Tikva, Israel
Mata Traders representing Delhi, India
Jan Lee Designs representing Shanghai, China
Ten Thousand Villages–Fair Trade Goods, Global
Antique African Art representing Durban, South Africa
Fashion House representing Shenyang, China
Nuada LLC representing Galway, Ireland
Ziyadd Products representing Amman, Jordan
Casita Azul Folk Art representing Mexico City, Mexico
Chicago 2016 representing Chicago

About CSCIP
The Chicago Sister Cities International Program provides leadership to develop, manage, and coordinate comprehensive programs and projects with Chicago’s sister cities. It aims to increase international trade, promote economic development and support exchanges in the fields of culture, education, medicine, social services, environment, and technology with its sister cities for the benefit of the City of Chicago, its residents and businesses. For more information about the Chicago Sister Cities International Program, please call (312) 744-2172 or visit www.chicagosistercities.com.


Chicago’s Sister Cities include: Accra, Ghana (1989); Amman, Jordan (2004); Athens Greece (1997); Belgrade, Serbia (2005); Birmingham, England (1993); Bogotá, Colombia (2009); Busan, Republic of Korea (2007); Casablanca, Morocco (1982); Delhi, India (2001); Durban, South Africa (1997); Galway, Ireland (1997); Gothenburg, Sweden (1987); Hamburg, Germany (1994); Kyiv, Ukraine (1991); Lahore, Pakistan (2007); Lucerne, Switzerland (1998); Mexico City, Mexico (1991); Milan, Italy (1973); Moscow, Russia (1997); Osaka, Japan (1973); Paris, France (1996); Petach Tikva, Israel (1994); Prague, Czech Republic (1990); Shanghai, China (1985); Shenyang, China (1985); Toronto, Canada (1991); Vilnius, Lithuania (1993); and Warsaw, Poland (1960)