Celebrating Guilin and Hastings 40 year relationship

Our community is celebrating our long-standing relationship with Guilin, China, from September 22 to 25, and we would love you to be part of it.

There is something for everyone, from a free cultural and trade mini-expo – in the beautifully decorated Functions on Hastings at Toitoi – to Sister Cities Alive, a free live street performance, and a ticketed celebration dinner

The Hastings-Guilin Sister City relationship is very important to both cities and wider New Zealand, as it was the first Sister City partnership signed between a city in New Zealand and a City in China. Over the intervening 40 years there have been very many visits between the two cities, including science, trade and local government delegations, and cultural and educational exchanges. The relationship has enabled the development of strong social, economic, educational, and political understanding, and has led to trade opportunities both within Guilin and across wider China.

September 21-24, 10am to 5pm

Sister Cities Showcase: sharing the story of our sister city Guilin and the relationship between our two cities: across trade, education, arts and culture. (free – no RSVP required)

September 24, 6pm to 9.30pm

Sister Cities Celebration Dinner, Functions on Hastings, Toitoi. ($70 – bookings essential)

September 25, 11am to 2pm

Sister Cities Alive, street performance – the story of our 40-year Sister Cities Journey, Toitoi street space, Hastings Street, Hastings (free – no RSVP required)