Sister-city friendships come with economic, artistic and cross-cultural benefits, but even more than that, they offer meaningful personal relationships and ongoing friendships. The idea of creating global understanding person-to-person was a driving force behind President Dwight Eisenhower’s creation of the national sister cities program in 1956.

For five days in October, a 16-person delegation from Perugia (including spouses and family members) traveled to Seattle to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Seattle-Perugia Sister City Association (SPSCA).