‘Sister city’ agreement unites two cultures
HOWELL — Representatives of Howell and the Sukhbaatar District of Ulanbaatar in Mongolia signed a memorandum of agreement following a presentation designating them as sister cities on Dec. 10.
The sister city program between Howell and the Sukhbaatar District aims to open up communication between cities in different countries and provide an overall cultural benefit.
Mayor Bill Gotto said, “Several months ago, I was approached by [President and Chairman of the Kalmyk Three Jewels Foundation] Bob Taunov about forming a sister city with the Sukhbaatar District in Mongolia.
“A section of Howell, specifically Freewood Acres, is where a lot of Mongolians and Kalmyks have immigrated to over the years, some fleeing from political persecution. That community has thrived over the decades and found integration within our community, so the sister city [agreement] makes sense,” he said.
Gotto said he hopes the partnership accomplishes the goal of “promoting common prosperity within the township and abroad; organization of mutual benefits; goodwill; cultural exchange; a potential electronic penpal program; and the sharing of art, culture, education and any other beneficial exchange.”
Taunov expressed his gratitude to Howell officials for making the partnership a reality. He said the Kalmyk Three Jewels Foundation is an organization that seeks to promote traditions and culture of the Mongolian and Kalmyk people.
“Now we can bring the Kalmyk and Mongolian communities together around the world, with Howell being in cooperation,” Taunov said. “I brought this idea to the council about six months ago, and here we are.”
The final individual to speak during the presentation was Baljinnyam Gan-erdene, a representative of the Citizens Representatives Council of the Sukhbaatar District. Gan-erdene came to the United States — and more specifically to Howell — to see how the process of democracy worked in practice.
Gan-erdene spoke with the assistance of a translator.
“[I am] honored to speak here on behalf of Sukhbaatar District residents and ancient Mongolians,” Gan-erdene said. “We are grateful for the warm welcome and the great hospitality of the town. I really hope this unforgettable visit opens the door between ... our cultures and our cultural exchange.”
Gotto presented Gan-erdene with a flag representing Howell’s government to “symbolize Howell’s heritage,” a blanket with “some of our symbols that make us a strong community and show our history,” and a book about the history of Howell.
Gan-erdene presented Howell officials with a copper plate that was crafted by Mongolian artists and featured Mongolian equine symbols, a plate with the Mongolian capital and Mongolian symbols “to represent the capital,” and small souvenirs to represent the “regular things used in Mongolian life.”
— Greg Kennelty
The sister city program between Howell and the Sukhbaatar District aims to open up communication between cities in different countries and provide an overall cultural benefit.
Mayor Bill Gotto said, “Several months ago, I was approached by [President and Chairman of the Kalmyk Three Jewels Foundation] Bob Taunov about forming a sister city with the Sukhbaatar District in Mongolia.
“A section of Howell, specifically Freewood Acres, is where a lot of Mongolians and Kalmyks have immigrated to over the years, some fleeing from political persecution. That community has thrived over the decades and found integration within our community, so the sister city [agreement] makes sense,” he said.
Gotto said he hopes the partnership accomplishes the goal of “promoting common prosperity within the township and abroad; organization of mutual benefits; goodwill; cultural exchange; a potential electronic penpal program; and the sharing of art, culture, education and any other beneficial exchange.”
Taunov expressed his gratitude to Howell officials for making the partnership a reality. He said the Kalmyk Three Jewels Foundation is an organization that seeks to promote traditions and culture of the Mongolian and Kalmyk people.
“Now we can bring the Kalmyk and Mongolian communities together around the world, with Howell being in cooperation,” Taunov said. “I brought this idea to the council about six months ago, and here we are.”
The final individual to speak during the presentation was Baljinnyam Gan-erdene, a representative of the Citizens Representatives Council of the Sukhbaatar District. Gan-erdene came to the United States — and more specifically to Howell — to see how the process of democracy worked in practice.
Gan-erdene spoke with the assistance of a translator.
“[I am] honored to speak here on behalf of Sukhbaatar District residents and ancient Mongolians,” Gan-erdene said. “We are grateful for the warm welcome and the great hospitality of the town. I really hope this unforgettable visit opens the door between ... our cultures and our cultural exchange.”
Gotto presented Gan-erdene with a flag representing Howell’s government to “symbolize Howell’s heritage,” a blanket with “some of our symbols that make us a strong community and show our history,” and a book about the history of Howell.
Gan-erdene presented Howell officials with a copper plate that was crafted by Mongolian artists and featured Mongolian equine symbols, a plate with the Mongolian capital and Mongolian symbols “to represent the capital,” and small souvenirs to represent the “regular things used in Mongolian life.”
— Greg Kennelty
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