- Citizen diplomacy panel
October 11th, 2025 - Lethbridge, AB
(L-R) Michael Bennett- (Director for Culver City Relations) Mayor of Great Falls, Cory Reeves, Lethbridge City Mayor, Blaine Hyggen, Harold Pereverseff (President of Lethbridge Twinning Society)
On Saturday, October 11 the Lethbridge Twinning Society held a citizen diplomacy panel. The panel consisted of executive members of the Lethbridge Twining Society, and invited guests representing the countries of India, Nigeria, and Germany.
Executive members of the Twinning Society explained each of their sister city delegated responsibilities and then we welcomed special keynote speaker mayor of Great Falls, Montana, USA, Cory Reeves. Mayor Reeves addressed the Audience expressing his views on citizen diplomacy, and providing several examples, particularly related to Canadians visiting in the city of Great Falls over a number of years.
There was an obvious kinship relationship between Great Falls city Mayor, Cory Reeves and Lethbridge city Mayor Blaine Hyggen this relationship bodes well with the Lethbridge Twinning Society. The evening was filled with information and provided a very good synopsis of citizen diplomacy.
After the panel discussion, they were questions from the audience towards the panel members, and once again the responses were informational and related to citizen diplomacy.
Lethbridge city Mayor Blaine Hyggen was in attendance and he participated in the discussion with the panel and also took the time to meet with all of the panel members and to mingle among those in attendance. The time went by fast and we were in very pleased that many of the audience expressed interest in joining the Lethbridge twinning society.
(L) Mayor Cory Reeves, Great Falls, Montana (R) Lethbridge City Mayor, Blaine Hyggen
Mikhaila sang both the Canadian and American national anthems and at the conclusion, “God save the King”
- Twinning Society calling all 'civilian diplomats'
October 10th, 2025 by Lethbridge Herald
Alexandra Noad
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Lethbridge Twinning Society has been fostering relationships with other cities worldwide for over 30 years and invites all “civilian diplomats” to join in a meeting Saturday to learn more about their initiatives.
The idea of having sister cities actually came from former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956 as a way to encourage residents to learn about different countries, cultures and people to promote world peace
Lethbridge's first sister's city was Timashevsk, Russia, shortly after the Second World War ended and they needed help rebuilding their city from the destruction caused by the war.
In 1989, Lethbridge Twinning Society was formed and the sisterhood with Timashevsk was integrated into the society.
During the Cold War, communication with Timashevsk was lost, but it resumed in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union.
During this time, Harold Pereverseff, current president of Lethbridge Twinning Society, was working at the Coutts Border in customs when he was approached by the members of the Twinning Society, who needed help shipping five tonnes of medical equipment to Timashevsk.
Being of Russian descent, Pereverseff was more than happy to help with the government side of shipping and then travelled to Russia to ensure its safe arrival.
Because of the crime in Russia at the time, they ended up getting in touch with the only Canadian contact Russia had, which was McDonald's, to have the equipment delivered there to make sure there was no interference in the distribution of the medical equipment.
Since then, Pereverseff has been an active member of the society and has served as president for the last decade.
Along with Russia, Lethbridge has three other twin cities: Culver City, California; Towada, Japan; and Great Falls, Montana.
Because of Lethbridge's Twinning Society, traditional Japanese Taiko Drumming has made its way to Lethbridge. Pereverseff's son Bryan is the music director for the Hibikiya drum group.
On Saturday Lethbridge Twinning Society will be joined by Cory Reeves, mayor of Great Falls, for a panel discussion on Citizen Diplomacy in the Theatre Gallery at Lethbridge Public Library's main branch at 6:30 p.m.
Pereverseff says it will be a great information session and a chance to connect with people and get to know what the Twinning Society is about.
He adds the society is hoping to re-establish itself since COVID took its toll, and decided the having a discussion on what citizenship is about would be a step toward that goal.
“The more you interact with people, the more you get to understand them and appreciate them,” says Pereverseff.
He stresses the discussion isn't about political issues, but rather how to become a more unified, peaceful society.
“We try to appreciate where we are, who we are and how we are operating in this world.”
While they will be accepting donations and memberships, there is no obligation to join or donate at Saturday's discussion.
- Mitsuko Yamada Recognition
May 21st, 2025 - Lethbridge, AB
On May 21st members of the LTS gathered to recognize Mitsuko Yamada from Towada City, Japan. Mitsuko arrived in Lethbridge on April 16th and is staying with her daughter and family. She has had the opportunity of visiting various venues including Writing on Stone Provincial Park, where she safely encountered a rattlesnake! She as well visited Niagara Falls, Toronto, Kitchener/Waterloo! A busy lady. She will be in Lethbridge until the beginning of June after she attends her grandson's grade XII graduation.
Mitsuko getting up and personal to Niagara Falls along with her daughter, Takako and granddaughter Ako
A great evening of celebration as we recognized our guest from Towada City
Director for Towada City relations, Carol Pickett and Mitsuko Yamada
Enjoying bar b que dinner
Mitsuko has “built” her hamburger to perfection
16 members of LTS gathered to enjoy the bar b que
- Acknowledging Support: MP Rachael Thomas and the Lethbridge Twinning Society
Lethbridge, AB
Michael Bennett - Lethbridge Twinning Society for Culver City and Lethbridge Member of Parliament, Rachael Thomas.
MP Thomas has always been a supporter of our society which is greatly appreciated.
- Mitsuko Yamada Visit
April, 2025 - Lethbridge, AB
Mitsuko Yamada from Towada City is here in Lethbridge for a visit. It is wonderful to keep up the contact with our Sister City if even with one person at a time.
Mitsuko Yamada taking in the sights of Lethbridge
- 45th Annual "Ice Breaker Road Race"
April 27th, 2025
Members of the Lethbridge twinning society participated in the 45th annual icebreaker road race in Great Falls on April 27. The weather for the road race was terrific and it was bright and sunny and warm.
An estimate of the participants in the races would be about 3000 so a very good turnout this year.
There were three races that you could participate in the 5 mile the 3 mile and a 1 mile. It was a fun day and we had an opportunity of visiting some nice restaurants, enjoying some fabulous food and also a little bit of shopping and some sightseeing.
It was great to see that the city of Great Falls Civic Center, where the races began were flying the Canadian flag alongside the Star-Spangled Banner and the Montana State flag. That was very welcoming for the Canadians that did come down to Great Falls.
The start of one of the races.
Titus from Lethbridge registered for the three mile race.
Michael Bennett from Lethbridge registers for the three mile race
Michael and Titus in front of the Great Falls civic centre before the races
Our group together with Great Falls resident (and our host) Jack Allen
The Ice Breaker Road Race mascot, “Pacer” added to the fun at the races
“Some came for the food” - excellent food served up at Applebees!
Thank you,
Harold Pereverseff
(President, Lethbridge Twinning Society)
403-330-6119
