In 1983, Boyertown and Bohodukhiv of Eastern Ukraine formed an alliance and became sister cities through the Sister Cities International network. Robert Fleming, Mayor of Boyertown at the time, helped initiate the partnership.
“It’s basically a relationship-and I won’t give up on mine,” says Dr. James Tribbett, of Boyertown, who has been involved with the program for nearly two decades.
The program makes it possible for a town to be twinned with any other town in the world.
“Sister city relationships offer the flexibility to form connections between communities that are mutually beneficial and which address issues that are most relevant for partners,” as stated on the Sister Cities International website.
In late December, Boyertown Mayor Marianne Deery released a proclamation expressing best wishes and appreciation towards Bohodukhiv, sharing how the communities have grown together. The proclamation was requested to recognize and celebrate the 30-year-old alliance between the two cities.
“There used to be an exchange program every couple of years,” said Tribbett. “We also used to send seeds for their gardens; they have gardens, not yards. It’s important to their survival.” At one point he was asked to bring glasses and “had a wonderful experience helping them.”
He describes the proclamation as “appropriate” and something to remember the initial contacts that made this happen.
“We did have many supporters. There’s been discontinued activity, unless there’s something to do-put on hold,” he said in reference to the alliance. “With the world situation, not sure how many would want to do an exchange program.”
Through this exchange program, Tribbett says he and others have traveled to the country many times over the years in order to make friends and visit the area. Bohodukhiv natives have done the same-visiting Boyertown and staying with host families to see the sights and meet the people here. He noted that the visitors particularly liked Longwood Gardens, in addition to other local attractions.
“We don’t know about what’s going on over there,” said Tribbett, explaining how certain television networks have stopped reporting on Ukraine current events and therefore he keeps up with the sister city’s news via the internet. “The city is located 50 miles from the Russian border.”
Recently, in December, his contacts there said their military and public service locations have been under attack. “They’ve been shaky”, he said, “…for months to a year. People say they never thought this would happen again.”
Tribbett says he would like to go back, given the right situation.
The proclamation from Mayor Deery follows verbatim.
PROCLAMATION: BOYERTOWN TO BOHODUKHIV
WHEREAS, Boyertown by proclamation in 1983 by Mayor Robert Fleming formed an alliance with Bohodukhiv; and
WHEREAS, it has been 31 years of greetings and very personal relationships meeting both in Boyertown and Bohodukhiv; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer and Irving Hollingshead served as our first representatives to Bohodukiv during the 1988 Peace March; and
WHEREAS, in 1990 Sister City formal relationship became legendary; and
WHEREAS, over the years our communities have grown in friendship and our bonds remain steadfast and committed to building peace and understanding in the hopes of strengthening our communities, our nations and our world; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Marianne V. Deery, Mayor of the Borough of Boyertown, Berks County, Pennsylvania proclaim that best wishes and sincere appreciation of our relationship on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the union of Boyertown and Bohodukiv.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the Borough of Boyertown, Berks County, Pennsylvania, on this 15th day of December in the year of our Lord, two thousand and fourteen.