
In 2024, Albi and Palo Alto celebrated 30 years as Sister Cities. The party kicked off in July when Albi hosted a delegation from Palo Alto, including Mayor Greer Stone who enjoyed meeting his Albi counterpart, Mayor Stéphanie Guiraud-Chaumeil. Demonstrating typical French hospitality, the Albi team planned a robust schedule of activities to showcase their picturesque, red-brick city. The group made stops at the Sainte-Cecile Cathedral, said to be the largest brick building in the world, as well as the world-famous museum dedicated to Albi native son and world-renowned artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. A ceremony in a local park included the placement of a plaque honoring the relationship between the two cities.
A few months later, in October, Palo Alto marked the occasion with a tree planting at JLS Middle School, where our teacher-partner Jacqui Kandell teaches 7th and 8th grade French. Again, Mayor Stone honored us by helping with the tree planting and offering a few words about his appreciation for our French Sister City. We planted a silver linden tree, similar to the linden trees found in the Albi region. Among the attendees were Carol Stevens, a former Neighbors Abroad board member who helped launch the Albi relationship; members of the Aurora Singers, which has a decades-long relationship with a chorale group in Albi; and various past and current city officials and teachers. Albi VP Jennifer Kleckner organized the event and baked several heavenly French cakes and tarts that would have impressed our friends in Albi. Read coverage in the Paly Voice here.
A few months later, in October, Palo Alto marked the occasion with a tree planting at JLS Middle School, where our teacher-partner Jacqui Kandell teaches 7th and 8th grade French. Again, Mayor Stone honored us by helping with the tree planting and offering a few words about his appreciation for our French Sister City. We planted a silver linden tree, similar to the linden trees found in the Albi region. Among the attendees were Carol Stevens, a former Neighbors Abroad board member who helped launch the Albi relationship; members of the Aurora Singers, which has a decades-long relationship with a chorale group in Albi; and various past and current city officials and teachers. Albi VP Jennifer Kleckner organized the event and baked several heavenly French cakes and tarts that would have impressed our friends in Albi. Read coverage in the Paly Voice here.