A delegation from Biot, France will be in Tacoma next month to sign paperwork officially making Biot Tacoma’s 12th sister city.

Jean-Pierre Dermit, Mayor of Biot, will have as part of his delegation acclaimed glass artist Antoine Pierini and, together, they plan to participate in a series of exchanges during their visit that celebrate the unique ties between Biot and Tacoma. The delegation will be in town Thurs., Oct. 4 through Sun., Oct. 7.

“Perhaps the most prominent tie between Biot and Tacoma is the wonderful glass art that has emerged from our two cities,” said Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland. “We look forward to having Antoine Pierini, a world famous glass artist, blow glass in Tacoma’s Museum of Glass and are also very excited for the delegation to visit with some of our very talented local youth at the Hilltop Artists Coalition’s hot shop in Jason Lee Middle School.”

Other members of Dermit’s delegation include Pascal Torreli, city council member and Sister Cities coordinator for Biot, Pascale Nicol, director of cultural events for Biot, Frederic Maurice, journalist for French newspaper Nice Matin, and Marie Hervieu, journalist for French television station FR 3.

Last April, in support of the Tacoma Sister Cities Program, and its efforts to promote valuable exchanges between Tacoma and the rest of the world, Tacoma City Council passed a resolution approving Tacoma’s proposed sister city relationship with the French Riviera town.

For more information about the Tacoma Sister Cities Program, visit tacomaculture.org/international/about.asp.