BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND Chicago’s Sister City Since 1993
Committee Chair:Rupert Ward
ABOUT BIRMINGHAM – Fast Facts
Birmingham City Council Leader: Mike Whitby Country: England Location: Western Europe Geography: Centrally located in the heart of England. History: Commonly called the “workplace of the world,” Birmingham was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s. Since the Industrial Revolution, Birmingham has been known as the “city of a thousand traders”. Industry: Metal goods, brassware, household utensils, and glass and rubber products Did You Know? Birmingham has more than 200 parks, including the Cannon Hill Park, just two miles south of the city, where there are boating lakes, bowling greens, tennis courts and wide-open spaces. Flag Description: Blue field with the red cross of St. George (patron saint of England) edged in white, superimposed on the diagonal red cross of St. Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of St. Andrew (patron saint of Scotland).
PAST BIRMINGHAM – CHICAGO PROGRAMS
2011 December 1 The Birmingham Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International proudly partners with Chicago's own Baroque Band to present the second annual rendition of the popular Christmas season masterwork - Handel's Messiah. This year’s performance will include the debut of a choir specially assembled to work with the Baroque Band.
March 14 The Birmingham Committee in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Chicago hosted a welcome reception at the Archbishop Quigley Center for a group of principals of Catholic schools from Birmingham, England. This program, initiated in 2001 and supported by the British Council, provides opportunities for teacher exchange for the purpose of developing joint curriculum work, collaborative programs and activities.
The English presence as an identifiable ethnic group in Illinois has received little attention, in part because intermarriage, mobility, and a lack of ethnic institutions have led to their being virtually indistinguishable from native-born white Protestants after a generation or two. Yet, whether pioneer or entrepreneur, the English and their descendants have been a significant presence in Chicago since the early nineteenth century.
From October 24 to 28, a delegation of the Birmingham City Council, Business Birmingham and University of Birmingham, led by the Leader of the City of Birmingham Councillor Mike Whitby visited Chicago.
The Birmingham Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International hosted a welcome dinner for the delegation at Riva on Navy Pier. Birmingham city officials, business [...]
Begin the holiday celebrations in style with Handel’s inspirational masterpiece.
The Birmingham Committee of the Chicago Sister Cities International program presents Chicago’s own Baroque Band – one of America’s most exciting period instrument orchestras – led by Director Garry Clarke and Chicago’s wonderful Bella Voce choir in Handel’s Messiah, as performed at Birmingham’s first music festival [...]
The Birmingham Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, in collaboration with Chicago’s own Baroque Band, will return to the magnificent setting of the Chicago Cultural Center for its second annual rendition of the popular Christmas season masterwork – Handel’s Messiah. This year’s performance will include the debut of a choir specially assembled to work with [...]
On May 5, Chicago Sister Cities International will host the Chicago Consular Corps Ball 2011 to celebrate the 79 countries that make up the Corps. This black-tie event will pay special tribute to Ann Lurie by honoring her with the 2011 Global Citizen Award for her contribution to enhancing Chicago’s reputation around the world.
Chaired by [...]
Begin the holiday celebrations in style with Handel’s inspirational masterpiece.
The Birmingham Committee of the Chicago Sister Cities International program presents Chicago’s own Baroque Band – one of America’s most exciting period instrument orchestras – led by Director Garry Clarke and Chicago’s wonderful Bella Voce choir in Handel’s Messiah, as performed at Birmingham’s first music festival [...]
