Twin Cities Apeldoorn and Itabashi

More than 1000 communities throughout the world foster twinning relationships with one another as a way to advocate for world peace and global understanding. The City of Burlington is fortunate to have twinning agreements with the City of Itabashi, Japan and the City of Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.

Special events

Throughout the year, there are special events to celebrate these established twinning relationships.

Check our Calendar to view upcoming events.

Apeldoorn The Netherlands

In May 2005, The City of Burlington signed an official twinning agreement with the City of Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. Our twinning relationship allows for cultural exchange and the sharing of ideas among youth, citizens and elected officials.

History of Apeldoorn

The Royal Canadian Regiment took part in the liberation of Apeldoorn in April 1945. Nowadays, Apeldoorn is one of the Netherlands' most progressive cities in terms of sustainable, responsible development. Apeldoorn's commitment to sustainability, its similar size to Burlington and its strong historic connections with our veterans make it an ideal twinning partner for us.

Canada-Netherlands connections

There are several historic connections between Canada and the Netherlands that have forged lasting bonds between our countries.

Second World War

The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. During the Second World War, the RCR was transferred to northwest Europe in February 1945 and took part in the liberation of Apeldoorn.

Princess Margriet

Royal history was made in Canada in January 1943, when Dutch Princess Juliana gave birth to her daughter Margriet Francisca in Ottawa's Civic Hospital. Princess Margriet was the first royal baby to ever be born in North America. This historic birth helped forge a bond between Canada and the Netherlands that endures to this day. Princess Margriet currently lives in Apeldoorn.

Special gift exchanges

Apeldoorn and Burlington have shared their cultures with each other through artistic gift exchanges.

In June 2015, Apeldoorn opened Burlington Garden in the presence of Princess Margriet.

Burlington Garden is a flower, fruit and vegetable garden. The Park has benches decorated with maple leaf images.

This park mirrors Apeldoorn Park in Burlington. Apeldoorn Park also has similarly decorated benches, but with tulips rather than maple leaves. Apeldoorn Park is located at 1385 Elgin St. and features a large planter containing about 700 Apeldoorn tulip bulbs. It also has orange playground equipment, the colour associated with the Dutch Royal Family.

In 2003, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the cities of Burlington and Apeldoorn to recognize the initiation of the twin city relationship.

"Louise", the stone sofa that is located next to the Naval Memorial in Spencer Smith Park, was presented as a gift from Apeldoorn to mark the beginning of the twinning relationship.

Itabashi Japan

In May 1989, the City of Burlington signed a twinning agreement with the City of Itabashi, Japan. Throughout our twinning relationship, we have had regular citizen visits, official delegations, special gift exchanges and memorable anniversary celebrations.

In 2024, we celebrated our 35th Twinning Anniversary milestone.

History of Itabashi

With a population of over 500,000, Itabashi is located on the Shyakujii, Shingashi and Arakawa Rivers just 45 kilometres northwest of Tokyo. It is one of Tokyo's 23 special wards.

Itabashi was one of the Four Edo Post Towns, and travellers first lodged there after leaving the shogunal capital. The name "Itabashi" means "wooden bridge". The town was named after a wooden bridge that was built around 800 years ago over the Shakujii River. Because of the bridge, Itabashi became strategic to the area and this had a major influence on Itabashi's future. In October 1932, nine towns and villages of the Kita-Toshima District merged and became part of Tokyo City as Itabashi Ward. It became a special ward in May 1947.

During the Second World War, Itabashi suffered great destruction but began to prosper again after the war with the urbanization and economic growth that followed. From 1965 to 1974, high-rise apartment buildings and condominium complexes were built in Takashimadaira, an area of Itabashi, transforming it from a rural area to a high-density residential centre.

Special gift exchanges

Itabashi and Burlington have shared their cultures with each other through artistic gift exchanges.

In 2004, for the 15th anniversary of our twinning relationship, Burlington sent Itabashi an art display consisting of many ceramic art pieces. Most of the art was returned to Burlington at the end of the showing. Some pieces were left as a gift to Itabashi. 

One of these pieces was a group of four ceramic cups and jugs make by Carol Roberts. Carol is a Burlington artist and has been practicing her art for 15 years. She teaches ceramics at the Art Gallery of Burlington. The Art on permanent display in Itabashi is called "Essence of Alchemy".

In return for Burlington naming on of our roads "Itabashi Way", the City of Itabashi donated Itabashi Bridge to us in June of 1997. The bridge is 20 m long by 4 m wide and is located over Shoreacres Creek near Tansley Woods Community Centre.

We have received many other beautiful artistic gifts from Itabashi which you can find throughout the city, including:

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Burlington, ON  L7R 3Z6

Phone: 905-335-7777, ext. 7698
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