Klaipėda - Kuji. The 20th Anniversary of Twin-City Cooperation

Klaipėda is the only Lithuanian city that cooperates with a Japanese town. In 1995 the World Congress of Local Authorities in Hague recognized Klaipėda and Kuji cooperation as the world's most interesting example of twin-city cooperation.

With a strong intermediation of Kuji, in 1994 Klaipėda University established the Center of Oriental Studies. Students had an opportunity to attend lectures in Japanese language and literature. The Center paid great attention to introducing Japanese culture to wider audiences.

In summer 2009, on the occasion of the 20^th jubilee of Klaipėda - Kuji cooperation, Klaipėda hosted a large delegation from Kuji, lead by the present day Mayor Mr. Takafumi Yamauchi. Seventeen representatives from this remote twin-city proposed an interesting program of the Japanese Culture Days in Klaipėda which was enthusiastically received by the Klaipedians.

After signing a renewed Twinning Agreement, with a solemn ceremony Japanese Culture Days in Klaipėda Culture Communication Center was opened in front of a huge crowd of the curious public. Among most interesting moments was a traditional Japanese ritual of a celebratory toast given after breaking a barrel of sake with special wooden hammers. It was done in a cheerful mood by the mayors of both cities, chief administration officers and representatives from the Embassy of Japan in Lithuania. Everybody had a chance to taste a small gulp of sake from special square wooden Japanese cups.

A highly qualified calligraphy master revealed secrets of Japanese script. Two very experienced traditional Japanese dance masters charmed the public with graceful ancient dancing accompanied by an exotic Japanese folk music. Women and men from the audience were welcomed to try on traditional kimonos, and were taught steps of "Sakura" dance on the stage. Beside calligraphy and dance workshops, people could get an insight into the secrets of the famous Japanese tea drinking ceremony. In another fabulous workshop, ikebana masters were making flower compositions and explaining their meaning. All Japanese culture admirers, and Klaipėda volunteers assisting the guests, were actively involved during all those concurrent performances which entertained the public over the whole weekend. The 20^th anniversary of twinning with our Japanese partner brought closer the people of the two cities and induced a strong impetus for further cooperation.