Macon-Bibb County and Kurobe, Japan held a Twinning Ceremony on Monday in Commission Chambers in City Hall.

“Diversity strengthens our community and is important now more than ever,” says Executive Director of Community Affairs Dr. Henry Ficklin. “Cultural exchanges help make the world a better and more peaceful place.”

"There is no better example of the YKK philosophy of the 'Cycle of Goodness' than the relationship between Macon and Kurobe. Since its inception in 1977, the sister city relationship has grown into the most active in the state of Georgia, with more than 1,000 citizens of Macon and Kurobe having visited each other's cities,” says Jessica Cork, Vice President for Community Engagement and Corporate Communications with YKK Corporation of America. “YKK believes that the best way to build mutual understanding is through people-to-people connections, and we are proud to have supported this relationship for the past 46 years."

This Twinning Ceremony was a chance for the two cities to recommit their relationship to each other, having been joined together for 46 years. Mayor Lester Miller and the Mayor of Kurobe, the Honorable Yoshikazu Takekuma, and Kurobe City Council Chair Yuichi Nakamura will sign the Twinning Document before there is an exchange of gifts, and a presentation from the Cherry Blossom Festival.

“International Friendship is an integral part of the Cherry Blossom Festival and we’re thrilled to be with our friends from Kurobe, Japan, YKK, and Macon-Bibb County for this special ceremony. Carolyn Crayton’s founding vision for the Festival was to bring people from all backgrounds together to celebrate the beautiful Yoshino Cherry Trees, a beloved symbol of friendship and respect. We are honored to continue to carry the torch,” says Cherry Blossom President and CEO Stacy Moore.

During their visit, the delegation from Kurobe is attending Cherry Blossom Festival events, touring Visit Macon, Mercer Music at Capricorn, the new Fire Training Academy, YKK, the Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Children’s Hospital, Mercer University, Macon Water Authority Treatment Plant, and more.