Little Rock, AR (July 25, 2016) – From July 23 to July 26, the City of Little Rock and the Little Rock Sister Cities Commission are hosting eight high school students and two adults from Hanam City, South Korea — one of Little Rock’s oldest sister cities. These students will explore the cultural, educational and economic development ties between Little Rock and Hanam City and will discover the history and experience language, culture, food, and attractions that Little Rock has to offer.

While in Little Rock, the students will live with host families and become engaged and immersed in local aspects of our community. They will visit and experience a number of Little Rock’s cultural attractions including the Clinton Presidential Center, Heifer International, Central High School, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the Arkansas State Capitol, and the Little Rock Zoo.

“We value the Sister Cities partnership that allows these students to experience all that is our city,” Mayor Mark Stodola said. “These cultural exchanges serve to enrich the lives of those taking part in the program and create enduring bonds with our friends worlds away.”

Formalized in 1992, Hanam City’s is the second oldest Sister City relationship that exists with the City of Little Rock. Since then, Hanam City has become one of Little Rock’s strongest relationships abroad. The Korean War Veterans Memorial in MacArthur Park, which was dedicated June 25, 2007, had significant financial and cultural support from our friends in Hanam City. 

For more information on the Little Rock Sister Cities Commission, please visit www.LRSisterCities.org

About Little Rock Sister Cities Commission

The Little Rock Sister Cities Commission works to foster relationships between Little Rock and its Sister Cities to promote mutual cross-cultural understanding and exchanges. Founded by Little Rock Ordinance 16,306, the Commission develops guidelines and programs for Sister City relationships with other cities in other countries, to further public awareness of communities throughout the world, emphasizing such things as cultural, historical and economic aspects of the City's adopted Sister Cities. Current sister cities include Changchun, China; Hanam City, South Korea; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Friendship City Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, United Kingdom.

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