Document Type : Research Paper

Author

• Hamid Reza Varesi

Member of Faculty, University of Isfahan

Abstract

Sister City is a covenant and a contract that is usually established between two cities which have some commonality in particular aspects, and hence certain connections are established between them. These connections are essential in identifying the characteristics of each of the cities. After the formation of such a relationship, certain legal steps are taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the highest authorities of the two cities sign the Sister Cities contract. Sister cities take certain actions as signs of friendship, including naming a street or park after their sisters. The reason for choosing such a title for such contracts (sisterhood) is that the word "city" is a female noun.
The city of Isfahan is currently considered as one of the most important cities in the world (one of 10 historic cities in the world). Its historical works, including Imam (Naghsh-e Jahan) Square, have been pronounced as amongst the human’s great heritage. The city has now ten Sister cities. The cities of Florence in Italy, St. Petersburg in Russia, Xi’an in China, Lasi in Romania, Yerevan in Armenia, Havana in Cuba, Freiburg in Germany, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Barcelona in Spain and the city of Kuwait are the Sister cities of Isfahan. Proposals have also been made to strengthen such agreements, including establishment of a marketplace called the Market of Nations to showcase the traditions and handicrafts of each of the Sisters, or of the establishment of the Garden of Nations. What can be said about these cities (Sisters) is that most of them have unique and sometimes world-famous historical or artistic works, each of which can be regarded as artistic achievement in its own right, and that these arts and historical works have played significant role in expansion of relations with such cities.
In the present article, first historical and artistic features of the city of Isfahan will be briefly discussed, and next the characteristics of the Sisters of Isfahan will be examined.

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