Development of friendship with Zeist, Kingdom of the Netherlands
The background and progress of our friendship
In 1643, a Dutch ship named the Breskens entered the bay of Yamada in search of water and food. On the basis of this historical fact a heartwarming friendship commenced between the crew of the Breskens and the local people of Yamada, the town has since undertaken various related projects with the Netherlands. In 1993, 350 years later since the Dutch ship's first arrival, a commemoration ceremony was held.
This ceremony was achieved through the efforts and advice of PhD. Reineir H. Hesselink, an associate professor of the University of Northern Iowa whose research in history included this historical event. Since then, the fbcus on this friendship with the Netherlands became a higher priority One example of this trend included the exchange of pupils from the local junior high schools who have been dispatched yearly to Christelijk College Zeist (CCZ) since 1996, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Eric Hazel, the private secretary of the Dutch Royal Family, who attended the commemoration ceremony and made this opportunity possible. This is how the friendship with Zeist originated. In 1997, Zeist was chosen as a candidate for our sister city. Since then, the friendship between Yamada and Zeist has developed through mutual sojourns: Yamada citizens' study visit; Yamada mayor, chairperson and municipal assembly members' visit; Zeist mayor and mayoress' visit to Yamada; CCZ friendship delegation's visit.
In 2000, the year to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the exchange between Japan and the Netherlands, the town of Yamada concluded an agreement on friendship as a sister city with the municipality of Zeist, aiming at a cultural communion and cooperation.
- Date of conclusion of an agreement on friendship with Zeist, Province of Utrecht, Kingdom of the Netherlands
- 13 May 2000
- Friendship Agreement Document has been signed.
- Official Name of the Agreement
- Friendship Agreement Document
締結式写真提供: 山田町
