Phoenix Sister Cities

Phoenix Sister Cities PSC is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy organization that fosters relationships of peace and prosperity between Phoenix and our 11 sisters.

Phoenix Sister Cities exists to create people-to-people relationships between the residents of Phoenix and its sister cities through commercial, educational, cultural and artistic exchange programs and events that create and sustain global, long-term, international partnerships and business opportunities for the citizens of Phoenix. At the heart of all Sister City programs is an agreement, signed

by the mayors of each Sister City, confirming the commitment of each community to the Sister City program. Sister Cities agree to send and receive delegations of various types, including political and business leaders, arts and cultural representatives, educators, and technical experts because these exchanges promote cross-cultural understanding, municipal and technical cooperation, and business opportunities. Each Sister City is supported by a committee of volunteers who are committed to the goals and objectives of the program.

Did you know that Hermosillo's Fiestas del Pitic is one of the most important cultural events in Northwest Mexico? This ...
05/20/2026

Did you know that Hermosillo's Fiestas del Pitic is one of the most important cultural events in Northwest Mexico?

This year, from May 21 to 24, free concerts and performances will pop up on public squares and main streets, presenting music from various genres by Mexican artists. Fiestas del Pitic was created in 2002 to celebrate the establishment of the city of Hermosillo on May 18, 1700. Before 2002, this celebration was modest and limited to smaller events in the Plaza Zaragoza. In 2002, Fiestas del Pitic included a presentation of the Sonora Philharmonic Orchestra, an exhibition on water, and Charlas con café y coyotas (Talks with Coffee and Coyotes). Starting 2003, the festival grew considerably with a larger budget and program, and was labeled as the most important cultural event in Hermosillo. In 2007, the indigenous groups of Sonora were included and pieces of their culture was shared.

Did you know that Mount Shosha in Himeji is a mountain, a movie set, and a temple? Mount Shosha is a holy mountain sacre...
05/19/2026

Did you know that Mount Shosha in Himeji is a mountain, a movie set, and a temple?

Mount Shosha is a holy mountain sacred to the god Susanoo-no-Mikoto, made from the soil of Vulture Peak in India by Shaka Nyorai according to Buddhist legend. In 966, a monk named Shoku founded a temple originally named Shosha-Ji, and was later renamed in 986 to Engyo-Ji by Emperor Kazan. In 1934, Engyo-Ji's precincts were designated as a National Historic Site and in 2003. Engyo-Ji has several other historical buildings, cemetaries, and six sub-temples, and has been an important pilgrimage destination for centuries.

The Mitsudono, the main temple, is split into three large buildings including the Daikodo (the main hall), the Jikido (the lodging and dining hall, now exhibiting temple treasures), and the Jogyodo (the gymnasium). Mount Shosha and Shosha Engyo-Ji have also been the filming grounds for several recent movies such as "The Last Samurai" (2003), the NHK Taiga drama "Musashi" (2003), "The Tale of Genji: A Thousand Year Mystery" (2011), "March Comes in Like a Lion" (2017), and several more. Mount Shosha is only 30 minutes away from Himeji City via bus and ropeway.

May 18th is Victoria Day! This Canadian holiday falls on the second to last Monday of May, honoring Queen Victoria. Birt...
05/18/2026

May 18th is Victoria Day!

This Canadian holiday falls on the second to last Monday of May, honoring Queen Victoria. Birthdays for French and British royal families have always been celebrated in Canada from the 17th century, and until the 19th century, these birthdays were primarily a military occasion because of the demonstrations of able-bodied men in the colonies. Soon after the Province of Canada was formed, the Parliament established a holiday to bridge the English and French Canadians, and the birthday of Queen Victoria was chosen and was established as a public holiday in 1845. Victoria Day is the only holiday in Canada celebrating the birthday of past royalty, and the current monarch's official birthday was permanently shifted to this day in 1957. Today, Canada celebrates Victoria Day with parades, flying the Royal Union Flag on government buildings but not replacing the national flag, fireworks, and a 21 gun salute.

Happy Victoria Day!

This week, we held the 2026 Phoenix Global Forum in collaboration with the International Economic Forum of the Americas!...
05/15/2026

This week, we held the 2026 Phoenix Global Forum in collaboration with the International Economic Forum of the Americas! We learned about global strategies, AI supply chains, the future of healthcare, quantum technology, and more. Phoenix Sister Cities would like to thank our speakers, our partners, and our attendees for another amazing year!

Did you know that the Prague Orloj is the oldest moving clock tower in the world? The Orloj is a fascinating clocktower ...
05/14/2026

Did you know that the Prague Orloj is the oldest moving clock tower in the world?

The Orloj is a fascinating clocktower in Prague with three main components: the astronimical dial that represents the sun and moon positions as well as constellations, statues of Catholic saints, and "The Walk of the Apostles" when the twelve apostles and other figures appear through small doors every hour. Local legend has it that if the clock is neglected, the city will suffer. The oldest part of the Orloj is the mechanical clock and astronomical dial, dating back to 1410. Around 1490, the calendar dial and gothic sculptures were added. It was formerly believed that the clock was created in 1490 by Jan Růže, which was later proven merely a legend brought by misinterpretation of records. In the legend, Jan Růže was blinded by the city councillors so that he could not replicate the clock, and in his anger, he disabled the Orloj. It wasn't until 1552 when clockmaker Jan Táborský repaired the Orloj. In 1629 or 1659, wooden statues were added, followed by the Apostles in 1787-1791 and a golden crowing rooster in 1865-1866. The clock suffered major damages during World War II and was repaired in 1948. The last renovation was in 2018, when the electric clock mechanism from 1948 was replaced by an original 1860s mechanism. This year, the Orloj will turn 616 years old.

The 2026 Phoenix Global Forum is here! We are looking forward to the discussions and connections to be made!
05/13/2026

The 2026 Phoenix Global Forum is here! We are looking forward to the discussions and connections to be made!

TOMORROW: The Phoenix Global Forum returns! See you there!
05/12/2026

TOMORROW: The Phoenix Global Forum returns! See you there!

May 8th is Victory in Europe Day! This holiday celebrates the surrender of N**i Germany's armed forces on May 8, 1945. A...
05/08/2026

May 8th is Victory in Europe Day!

This holiday celebrates the surrender of N**i Germany's armed forces on May 8, 1945. After Hitler's death on April 30th during the Battle of Berlin, his successor, Karl Dönitz first signed an act of military surrender on May 7th at the Supreme Headquarters of Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF) in Reims. Then on May 8th, a modified document was signed in Karlshorst, Berlin. This document is considered the definitive surrender of N**i Germany. After the surrender, the Western World celebrated in the streets. Today, May 8th is celebrated across Europe as public holidays and national observances.

Happy VE Day!

Phoenix Sister Cities is extremely privileged to have hosted a delegation from our sister city Himeji! With a full sched...
05/07/2026

Phoenix Sister Cities is extremely privileged to have hosted a delegation from our sister city Himeji! With a full schedule exploring Phoenix and Tucson, attending an Arizona Diamondbacks game, touring museums and factories, we are grateful for the time spent together to celebrate 50 years of friendship. Our connections to our sister cities are vitally important in the name of world collaboration, and being able to share culture and ideas in person is always an unforgettable experience. We are looking to 50 more years!

フェニックス姉妹都市協会は、姉妹都市である姫路市からの代表団をお迎えできたことを大変光栄に思います!フェニックスとツーソンの観光、アリゾナ・ダイヤモンドバックスの野球観戦、博物館や工場見学など、盛りだくさんのスケジュールの中で、50年にわたる友好関係を祝うために共に過ごした時間を心から感謝しています。姉妹都市との絆は、世界的な協力の観点から極めて重要であり、文化やアイデアを直接共有できることは、常に忘れがたい経験となります。これからもさらに50年、末永くお付き合いできることを楽しみにしています!

Last chance to register for the Phoenix Global Forum NEXT WEEK on May 13, 2026.  A full day of global insight, high-leve...
05/06/2026

Last chance to register for the Phoenix Global Forum NEXT WEEK on May 13, 2026.

A full day of global insight, high-level connections, and ideas you can use.

You leave with:
New relationships that extend well beyond the event.
Clear insight into global economic and investment trends.
Practical takeaways you can apply immediately to your work.

If you plan to attend, register today.

Connect. Ignite. Transform.
www.phoenixglobalforum.com/

Address

200 W Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ
85003

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16025343751

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