Back The Sister Cities and the Sister Castle of Himeji CHARLEROI

A town of cheerful and friendly people CHARLEROI BELGIUM Affiliated on July 13, 1965 Charleroi is one of the five biggest cities in Belgium, located 60 km south of Brussels, the capital city of Belgium and the biggest city in the Waron area of the south, where French is spoken. While it has preserved the vestige of the Middle Ages such as stone houses, churches and castles, it has developed industries. Thanks to concentration of railways and road systems, it has grown as a heavy industrial city with the coal-mining industry at its center. The present main industries are the manufacturing of iron, chemistry and the construction industry. Recently space navigation and high-tech industries are emphasized as industries of the future. Relations between Charleroi and Himeji go back to the time of World War II. Charleroi was known to Himeji citizens through churches and schools run by Junshinkai, one sect of the Catholic Church. In January, 1964, the king and queen of Belgium visited Himeji. Taking this opportunity, the sister-city affiliation was established on July 13, 1965 and the first foreign sister-city of Himeji was born. The people in Charleroi are cheerful, friendly, cherish friendship and their daily lives very much. It can be said that the friendly temperament peculiar to these people is the best attraction for tourists. A number of religious festivals mixed with folklore customs and energetic sports events are held throughout the year. While priding itself in its history Charleroi is expected to develop into the future. http://www.charleroi.be/