The City of Thunder Bay and Sister City Gifu City, Japan, united today in ringing the Peace Bell in both cities as a gesture of continued commitment to worldwide peace during the twelfth annual Peace Bell Ceremony held in our city at City Hall.

 

“Today, July ninth, we come together as two cities to mark the anniversary of the massive air raid on Gifu during the Second World War, and call for peace now and into the future,” said Mayor Bill Mauro. “For twelve years, Thunder Bay and Gifu have united on this important cause and strengthened our relationship and resolve to honour a peaceful way forward for all people.”

 

Thunder Bay and Gifu City have had a formal Sister City relationship since 2007.

 

“The relationship between Thunder Bay and Gifu City has been a strong and mutually-beneficial one,” said Matthew Villella, Chair, and Sister Cities Advisory Committee. “We are proud to count them among Thunder Bay’s Sister Cities, and I look forward to the continued development of our relationship through economic and cultural exchanges.”

 

Representatives from Fort William First Nation, the Sister Cities Advisory Committee, the Lakehead Japanese Cultural Association and Canadian Legion Colour Party also participated in the ceremony.

 

 

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Contact:          Matthew Villella – Chair – Sister Cities Advisory Committee – 627-2148