Fredericksburg to host sister cities lecture series as part of VA250
Photo (Cultural Quilt speakers) from top left: John Hennessy, Dr. Marcel Rotter, Scott Walker, Dr. Craig Vasey, Bill Beck, Dr. Brooke Di Lauro, Oral Ofori, and Dr. Lekh Nath Adhikari
As a part of VA250, Fredericksburg’s sister cities are jointly presenting a series of lectures that focus on the contributions of the sister city countries to the cultural fabric of America. Our sister city countries are France, Ghana, Germany, Italy, and Nepal.
The sister city group is partnering with the City of Fredericksburg and the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL). A Cultural Quilt: Fredericksburg’s sister city countries and their influence on the fabric of America, will begin with an overview of immigrant contributions to the region, by well-known historian John Hennessy.
Beyond the Ocean Gateway: Immigration and Immigrants in Fredericksburg, creates a sweeping picture of the effect of the earliest immigrants on indigenous populations, as well as an examination on forced African immigration, and on the influx of Europeans.
Finally, Hennessy carries the story through the 20th century and into our present day. Hennesey is a retired National Park Service historian, author, and authority on the Civil War in the region.
Most of these lectures have a component about regional contributions by immigrants. For example, Dr. Marcel Rotter, UMW Professor of German, has been busily leading his students in research about the area’s German influences. Titled An Exploration of German Influence in the Greater Fredericksburg Region, the program promises a rich consideration of our German heritage.
The Nepalese lecture examines the influence of American democracy on Nepal. Dr. Lekh Nath Adhikari, Professor of Chemistry at Rappahannock Community College, explores Nepal’s historical arc from kingdom to monarchy to democratic republic. Dr. Adhikari heads the Kathmandu sister city group, and works in advocacy with the Embassy of Nepal.
Also of note is the lecture presented by our Ghanaian sister city group. Oral Ofori, internationally recognized digital media producer, and founder of TheAfricanDream LLC, explores the complicated relationship between Prince’s Town and Fredericksburg.
Ofori has garnered numerous awards, among them Global Peace Advocate (2025), Best Diaspora Blog (2022), and 2020 Top Ten D.C. Media & Film Awardee. Ofori holds a journalism degree from the London School of Journalism.
For the French contribution, Dr. Craig Vasey, retired Philosophy Professor at UMW, and a graduate of the Sorbonne in Paris, heads a panel of three Francophiles about our threads of French culture.
Former mayor, and long-time member of the French sister city, Bill Beck will offer insights about the influence of French thought in the creation of our Republic. And Dr. Brooke DiLauro, French professor at UMW, will deliciously describe the influences of French culinary heritage in American cuisine.
Italian immigrants arrived in our region well before the American Revolution. Scott Walker, long-time regional historian, tour guide, and raconteur, reveals that Italian heritage through a regional lens. Italians in 18th Century Virginia explores the Italian relationship with Jefferson, and Italian influence through the centuries.
Fredericksburg’s sister cities previously joined together, along with partners CRRL and many Fredericksburg artists, for a fundraiser in support of Ukraine. Held in 2022, the event raised $24,000.
The donation was held back until Giving Tuesday, at which time matching funds raised the impact of the donation to $72,000. The charities were Save the Children, World Central Kitchen, and Doctors Without Borders.
The sister cities are: Fréjus, France (1980), Princes Town, Ghana (2006), Schwetzengen, Germany (2010), Este, Italy (2015), and Kathmandu, Nepal (2015). More information about our sister cities may be found at Fredericksburg Sister Cities.
All lectures are free and open to everyone. They will be held at CRRL 1201 Caroline Street at 6:30 on designated days. The lecture schedule is:
February 18: Introductory Lecture. Beyond the Ocean Gateway: Immigrants and Immigration in Fredericksburg. John Hennessy.
March 18: German Lecture. An Exploration of German Influence in the Greater Fredericksburg Region. Dr. Marcel Rotter.
April 16: Italian Lecture. Italians in 18th Century Virginia. Scott Walker.
May 21: French Lecture. French Influences in the American Story. Dr. Craig Vasey, Bill Beck, Dr. Brooke Di Lauro.
June 18: Ghanaian Lecture. A Cultural Quilt: The Sister City Relationship between Fredericksburg and Prince’s Town, Ghana. Oral Ofori.
September 17: From Monarchy to Republic: Nepal’s 250-Year Journey and Its Deepening Partnership with the United States. Dr. Lekh Nath Adhikari.
Written by Kathryn Willis
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