Just last week, Albion welcomed six French delegates from the sister cities, Noisy-le-Roi and Bailly. The relationship built on exchanges of culture, community, and education; is a treasured experience within the Albion community. Starting in the late 1990s, the Sister City Committee formed to nurture this relationship with the established connections in France. As time as passed, countless people have gone to visit the French sister cities through adult and youth trips as well as Albion welcoming French visitors.
After a few years hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Albion welcomed the visitors with open arms. The visiting delegates included Marc Tourelle, Mayor of Noisy-le-Roi, Marie-Frances Agnofe, Vice-Mayor of Sister City Relations in Noisy-le-Roi, Caroline de Sazilly Vice-Mayor of Sister City Relations in Bailly, Annick Theis-Viémont, committee president, Danielle Cordier, committee member, and Laurent Daurces, a basketball coach. Each visitor stayed with a host family in Albion to truly experience the Albion community. Over their time in Albion, they visited Albion College courses and events, City Council, and experienced the Festival of the Forks. They as took a walking tour of downtown Albion to meet with local business owners and merchants to understand how Albion has evolved over the years.
On Monday September 18th, the Sister City Committee hosted a celebration dinner for the visitors at Galazio Restaurant. The theme of the dinner was Michigan, serving the guest local wines and entrees. But the highlight of the evening was the kind words spoken from the committee and the visitors. The Committee and City honored the guests with handmade gifts and keys to the city. The biggest message from the evening is the hope to get back to a regular exchange of citizens. With this goal in mind, next year there are plans for an Albion youth trip in June and an adult trip in October.
To hear directly from the French delegation check out A True Love for Albion.