In the heart of Arkansas, a remarkable story of global connection and innovation is unfolding. The Sister Cities program, a beacon of international cooperation, has found fertile ground in the Natural State, with Hot Springs leading the charge in fostering meaningful cross-cultural relationships and driving economic growth.
Founded in 1956, Sister Cities International (SCI) is a nonpartisan nonprofit powered by citizen diplomats and volunteers. With over 2,000 partnerships spanning 145 countries, this program has proven that local connections can have far-reaching impacts.
Hot Springs’ Sister Cities partnership with Hanamaki, Japan, was established in 1993. This connection has blossomed into a multifaceted collaboration, yielding impressive cultural exchanges, educational opportunities and economic development outcomes.
The Hot Springs Sister City Program recently clinched the SCI 2024 Annual Award for Innovation in Business, Trade, and Professional Exchange. This accolade recognizes the program’s outstanding achievements in fostering international cooperation and economic growth while acknowledging the dedication of everyone involved since its inception as a Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce project.
A crowning achievement of this partnership was the 2023 opening of Origami Sake, a brewery in Hot Springs owned by Ben Bell and Matt Bell. The brewery’s founders, who share a last name but aren’t related, were granted a trip to Japan to explore the sake industry and learn best practices. This trip introduced a new industry to Arkansas and deepened cultural ties between the two cities.
Another outcome of the Hot Springs-Hanamaki relationship is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which has grown significantly over the years and is expected to continue to draw large crowds to Hot Springs. In 2024, the event attracted 40,000 participants.
This year’s Cherry Blossom Festival was held April 12 and offered an exciting lineup of cultural experiences and entertainment: Taiko drumming performances, anime and manga lectures, sumo wrestling exhibitions featuring wrestlers from Hanamaki, and tastings from American sake brewers.
Each year the festival also serves as a fundraiser for scholarship programs. The Hot Springs Sister City Program has additional positive impacts on education by developing the next generation of engaged, globally focused citizen diplomats. Student exchanges between Hot Springs and Hanamaki provide young leaders with invaluable opportunities to broaden their horizons and learn about a culture different than their own.
At its core, the Sister Cities Program is about people. It’s about forging friendships, understanding different perspectives, and finding common ground across cultural divides. As Mary Zunick, Arkansas state representative for SCI, said, “Now more than ever, we need to know the importance of learning from each other—the more we can learn from and about other cultures, the better.”
In an increasingly interconnected world, Arkansas’ embrace of Sister Cities programs stands as a testament to the power of international cooperation. From the thermal waters of Hot Springs to the cherry blossoms of Hanamaki, these connections are not just bridging distances, they’re shaping a more understanding, innovative and prosperous future for all.
You can learn more about the Hot Springs Sister City Program at www.hotspringssistercity.org.
