Decatur Welcomes German Guests to Celebrate Sister City Anniversary and Sculpture

The Decatur Sister Cities Committee invites the public to a special event on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 1:30 PM in Central Park, Downtown Decatur, near the Transfer House on the northeast corner.

This event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Decatur’s sister city relationship with Seevetal, Germany, and will feature a visit from 22 guests from Seevetal. Guests will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the recently dedicated sculpture created by local artist Darren Miller, which honors Decatur’s sister city partnerships with Tokorozawa, Japan, and Seevetal, Germany.

While media attended the sculpture’s dedication in August, this event offers a new perspective and personal experience with our German guests, highlighting international friendship in a meaningful and interactive way.

“This sculpture reflects the enduring friendship and shared history between Decatur and its sister cities, and we’re excited to celebrate this milestone with our German guests,” said Kathy Sorensen of the Decatur Sister Cities Committee.

The public is encouraged to join this celebration, take part in welcoming our German guests, and experience the sculpture firsthand—for those who missed the dedication in August.

This program is partially sponsored by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, and the Decatur Area Arts Council.

For more information, please contact Kathy Sorensen at 217-620-6850.