On November 5-6, 2019, a delegation from Burlington traveled to Honfleur to take part in the official Sister city signing ceremony.
Members of the Burlington delegation included: Lise Veronneau, Meg Pond and Jim Rader, Fran Stoddard and Harry Grabenstein, and Dana and Marc vanderHeyden.
The group received a guided visit of the famous Lieutanance, which was then under renovation, led by Benjamin Findinier, Honfleur’s director of cultural affairs and museums.
The official signing of the Sister City Charter took place at the Hôtel de Ville on November 5, with a Skype connection to Contois Auditorium in Burlington City hall.
Mayor Michel Lamarre of Honfleur and Mayor Miro Weinberger of Burlington signed the document.
In both locations, local citizens attended the ceremony, and both mayors made speeches. Congratulatory remarks and toasts followed. In Honfleur, the hosts treated the Burlington visitors to a celebratory meal.
The event was recorded and broadcast on Town Meeting TV. To view the video, which runs 47 minutes, please click here.
Information from notes by Dana vanderHeyden. Visit the Honfleur-Burlington Sister Cities website here.