Since its founding in 1980 following the Norwegian festival and the strong oil industry, shipping and other ties between the cities, the Houston/Galveston-Stavanger Sister City Society has been actively engaged in the promotion of goodwill between the citizens of these cities. In 1988 Galveston, which had been involved in most of the activities that year, formally joined the Sister City organization and the mayors of the three cities signed a formal document joining the cities in an educational, business and cultural exchange program.
The primary activities have been cultural exchanges every other year with Houston/Galveston and Stavanger alternating as host. The Societies most recently went to Houston in June 2000. These programs, which have won three awards from the Sister Cities International organization, have emphasized youth. Visiting student delegations have included music, drama and athletic groups that have performed or competed at schools and other sites.
The Society also helps to build long-term relationships between Stavanger and Houston/Galveston by sponsoring many other activities. It has been involved in visits to Houston by the late King Olav V, the present King Harald V, the Norwegian ambassador to the U.S. and reciprocal mayoral visits. The Society also suggested and implemented the membership of the Stavanger Chamber of Commerce in the Greater Houston Chamber of Commerce as its first foreign member. Four Houstonians have been decorated by the King of Norway. Houston also was chosen ”port-of honor” by “Christian Radich”, a square rigged Norwegian training ship, and also “Saga Sieglar”, a replica of a Viking trading vessel.
As these events demonstrate, the programs of the Society are interesting, educational and cultural and give the membership and participants opportunities to become acquainted with the people of Norway, and to reciprocate with Texas hospitality to our Norwegian guests.
