Experience the beauty and traditions of Japan at Gathering Place’s Global Gatherings: Japan, an immersive cultural celebration set for March 21st from 12-5 p.m.

Rex Burnett, Chair of the Tulsa-Kaohsiung Sister City Partnership, joined Tulsa Community College’s Southeast Campus for a Lunar New Year celebration filled with cultural traditions, symbolic foods, and hands‑on calligraphy.

The Spring Festival at University School transformed global learning into a hands‑on celebration, filled with lively performances, shared meals, and cultural discovery. TU students, educators, and community leaders joined in the festivities, highlighting Tulsa’s Sister City connections and inspiring younger students to see themselves as active participants in our global community.

Tulsa–Utsunomiya Chair Phil Sharp shares a recap of our special 25th anniversary screening of Spirited Away. This latest installment in our Sister City Film Series was presented in partnership with Circle Cinema and the Tulsa Japanese Friendship Club.

Tulsa’s inaugural Asia Fest brought together community members, cultural partners, and international friends for a vibrant celebration of Asian traditions and global connection. TGA was proud to highlight our four Asian Sister Cities and share hands‑on activities that invited visitors to explore Tulsa’s international relationships. This recap reflects on a memorable day of cultural exchange and the growing global spirit within our community.

Jan 31st. 3-8pm. Arvest Convention Center
TGA will be showcasing our Asian Sister Cities, so be sure to visit our booth, learn about ways to get involved, play Taiko no Tatsujin, and grab some global swag!

TGA marked the holiday season with a heartfelt ornament exchange between Tulsa and its Sister City of Celle, Germany—an especially meaningful tradition as the two cities celebrate 25 years of partnership. Supported by civic leaders, community partners, and friends in both cities, the exchange highlighted the enduring spirit of international friendship and collaboration. This year’s effort reflects how small cultural gestures continue to strengthen a relationship that has grown for a quarter century.

Tulsa families joined our Kaohsiung Sister City Chair, Rex Burnett, to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival! Guests enjoyed mooncakes, lantern-making, and stories of Chang’e and the Jade Rabbit under the full moon.

Students from Tulsa’s Sister City of Celle, Germany spent the week in Tulsa with Riverfield Country Day School host families, celebrating 25 years of friendship between the two cities. Earlier this year, Riverfield students visited Celle, exploring sites like Heidelberg Castle, the Kölner Dom, and the historic Ratsherrensaal in Celle City Hall.

This spring, Tulsa was in full bloom with cultural celebrations, student exchanges, and cherry blossoms—all in honor of our Sister City, Utsunomiya, Japan. From postcards to samurai armor, explore how this long-standing partnership brought global connection to life across Tulsa.

Alongside our community partners at Philbrook, Gathering Place, and Tulsa Botanic Garden, TGA is supporting a Spring and Summer of Japanese-inspired events all across Tulsa! Win a trip to Utsunomiya & Tokyo, send postcards to students in Utsunomiya while admiring OK’s largest collection of cherry blossom trees, and enjoy the OK debut of Florigami in the Garden!

TGA is honored to be included in Vision Tulsa 2025, a publication of Tulsa City Council and the City of Tulsa. Copies are available at select locations, including City Hall and Tulsa International Airport, but you can enjoy the digital edition here.

Over 500 Eisenhower elementary students explored 14 different cultures from across the globe at the 2025 Eisenhower International School Parade and Fair!

Students from Saint-Martin elementary school in our Sister City of Amiens, France visited Tulsa City Hall to meet Mayor Nichols and learn about life in Tulsa.

Rex Burnett, Chair of the Tulsa-Kaohsiung Sister City Partnership, hosted a Lunar New Year Celebration at TCC’s SE campus for students, faculty, and staff. Attendees enjoyed food and craft making while learning Lunar New Year history and traditions.

TGA’s Executive Director, Micah Keyan, presents to the Protocol and Diplomacy class at Oral Roberts University.

TGA volunteer and ORU student, Jael Rollocks, recently visited Tulsa’s Sister City of Utsunomiya, Japan with Tulsa Community College’s Study Abroad class and wrote a travel journal full of videos and photos detailing her incredible, life-changing experience.

Elementary students from Tulsa's Riverfield Country Day School and our Sister City of Celle, Germany exchanged ornaments for the holidays!

On November 16 2024, Tulsa Global Alliance and our community partner, Circle Cinema, joined together to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Godzilla with a SOLD OUT screening of the original 1954 film, in Japanese with English subtitles. Dr. Bill Tsutsui, Chancellor and Professor of History at Ottawa University in Kansas, came to Tulsa to introduce the movie, answer questions, and provide lively commentary with an engaged audience after the film.

Alpha Zhang and a local calligrapher represented the Beihai Partnership at the May 10 Global Gatherings kickoff, engaging hundreds of visitors at Tulsa’s Gathering Place.