On September 6, a group of nine delegates from Nashville were warmly welcomed by our friends in Caen.   Our visit began with a reception attended by Eric Beaty, Economic and Commercial Attaché to Normandy, and Sara Harriger, the Consul to the region. Following the reception there was a robust legal seminar and discussion regarding the differences in the election process between France and the United States.  Thursday and Friday included visits to the Priory of Saint Ortaire—Bagnoles de l’orne, a Calvados tasting at the Manor of Ducey, and tours of the Chateau de Carrouges and the Castel Canon.  We also had a solemn visit to the American Cemetery.  We look forward to returning the hospitality in 2018 when the delegation from Caen visits Nashville.
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Inspired by the beautiful kites we saw flying on our recent trip to our sister city Taiyuan, China, we decided to have our own Kite Flying Festival.  We partnered with the Cumberland River Compact who annually host the outrageously fun and energetic Dragon Boat Races in the Cumberland River.  We brought our tent and beautiful Chinese kites (goldfish, dragons, swallows, lotus, octopus and more) for spectators to enjoy flying by the river.  Lots of free fun and we plan to do it again next year. 

Sister Cities enjoyed supporting our friends at the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition InterNASHional Food Crawl on September 2.  We sponsored a bus, filled it and had a great time cruising Nashville and sampling tasty international fare along the way from a variety of cuisines.