Politics makes La Crosse sister city friendship with Russia harder

The city of La Crosse has had a good record of establishing sister cities in several countries — seven of them, at the moment.

International politics, however, sometimes makes those relations difficult. Take one of La Crosse’s longest-running sister city partnerships with Dubna, Russia — a relationship that has lasted nearly 30 years.

“It’s been awhile since we had an exchange, basically due to the political climate between the U.S. and Russia at this time,” said Art Marson, who serves with both the Dubna friendship group and La Crosse’s International Committee.

Marson added that some Russians who want to visit Wisconsin worry that they’ll be risking careers if they make an exchange visit to America.

“I’m sure most of them would love to have the opportunity to come to Lax and continue our relationship,” Marson said. “It’s just the political climate right now has led to some uncertainty in being able to get a visa and travel arrangements at this time.”

Marson and the committee hope to bring a group from Dubna to La Crosse in time for Oktoberfest this year.

Marson says Dubna has a new mayor, who would like to visit La Crosse.

Meanwhile, the International Committee is planning designs for local banners that would highlight all seven of La Crosse’s foreign sister cities.