Welcome: Snoqualmie greets Peruvian exchange students
Published 5:39 pm Thursday, February 5, 2015
Snoqualmie gave a warm welcome to six students, visiting the city from Chaclacayo, Peru, Thursday. The students, from Snoqualmie’s sister city, exchanged gifts with Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson, then performed a traditional dance for a small but appreciative audience, who were soon pulled into the dance, as well.
Among the gifts was a plaque from Peru commemorating the 2015 exchange of the “brother city.” Tina McCollum, Snoqualmie Sister Cities Association president explained that in Peru, two communities in a cultural exchange are called a brother cities.
The visit is part of an annual exchange that Snoqualmie does with the Peru city. It is also, according to Larson, part of a worldwide tradition, started by President Eisenhower. The President started Sister Cities International in 1956 at a conference on diplomacy. Its goal was promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.
The students will attend Mount Si High School and stay with host families for their visit, which ends Feb. 22.
Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson accepts a plague commemorating the 2015 student exchange with Snoqualmie’s sister/brother city, Chaclacayo, Peru, from Gabrielle.
Exchange student Karla demonstrates the dance steps for Snoqualmie firefighter Matt West.
Peruvian exchange students to Snoqualmie perform a traditional dance.
