Sister City

2022 - Mutualism Sculpture at Northwest Library.jpg
2018 - City Council Recognitions.jpg
2015 - Incheon, South Korea Delegates Visit Burbank.jpg
1994 - Mayor Battey and Ota Sister City Group.jpg
1993 - Burbank Delegates at our sister city Ota, Japan.jpg
1983 - Sister City Botswana.jpg
1960 - Mayor Cooper and Miss Sweden.jpg

Sister City partnerships are created by an act of the City Council. According to Sister Cities International, "A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement to become sister cities."

Burbank has five Sister Cities. Burbank officials work with officials from these cities to increase global understanding. Activities have included visits by officials, an art exchange, and letters of support or congratulations.

In Burbank, Sister City activities are coordinated by Burbank Public Library. Contact the Library at 818-238-5551 or sistercity@burbankca.gov with inquiries.
 

2025 Sister City Student Exchange Program - Applications Now Open

The City of Burbank and the Burbank Sister City Committee are thrilled to announce the opening of applications for the 2025 Sister City Student Exchange Program. This unique and prestigious opportunity allows students to experience a different culture firsthand while representing Burbank abroad. Burbank students in grades 9 - 12 are welcome to apply here. Adults can apply to be a chaperone for the Summer 2025 trip to Ota, Japan.

To learn more, visit burbanksistercity.org or attend the Sister City Exchange Program Information Meeting on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at Buena Vista Branch Library.

Burbank Sister Cities

SOLNA, SWEDEN -- In June 1960, the mayor of Burbank appointed a committee to choose a suitable Sister City. Solna was selected because of its many similar characteristics to Burbank. Solna's main industries are film and electronics; it has an airport; and it is adjacent to another major city, Stockholm.

INCHEON, KOREA -- At the invitation of Incheon, Burbank's second Sister City affiliation was formed in October 1961. The friendship between the citizens of Burbank and Incheon resulted from a letter written by an Incheon student requesting Burbank's help to obtain books written in English so that people of his community could learn the English language and find out about the American way of life. Incheon and Burbank currently participate in student exchanges.

GABORONE, BOTSWANA -- Burbank extended the Sister City invitation to Gaborone in 1975, and the city accepted. During the 1984 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles, Burbank hosted the Botswana Olympic team.

OTA, JAPAN -- In 1984, Ota invited Burbank to join with them as Sister Cities. Burbank and Ota students participate in a cultural exchange program, with students from each city visiting the other in alternate years.

AREZZO, ITALY -- Burbank's newest Sister City relationship was formed after the Burbank City Council invited Arezzo to partner in November 2022.

Burbank Sister City Committee

The Burbank Sister City Committee (BSCC) is an independent nonprofit organization that works with the City of Burbank to coordinate annual high school student exchanges between Burbank and two of its Sister Cities, Incheon, Korea, and Ota, Japan. BSCC also engages occasionally in activities with the other Sister Cities and supports City efforts. 

Opportunities are available for community members to serve on the board of BSCC, host visiting students in the summers, and learn more about the exchanges as a Burbank student. BSCC meetings are generally held the first Monday of the month at 6:30 pm, at the Buena Vista Branch Library. To learn more about BSCC, visit www.BurbankSisterCity.org.

 

A Friendship City is an international relationship of less formality than a Sister City. Burbank currently has no Friendship Cities.