Santa Cuz, CA….The Santa Cruz Sister Cities Committee invites writers of all ages to enter the annual Hans Christian Writing Contest. The contest features four age group divisions: 3-5; 6-10; 11-16 and 17 & up. Winning local submittals are entered in the international competition in Sestri Levante, Italy — one of Santa Cruz’s five sister cities. Entries are due Friday, January 17, 2014.

Hans Christian Andersen visited Sestri over many years preferring the warmth of the Italian Riviera to the cold of Denmark. The international competition is a celebration of his time there and attracts talented submittals from all over the world.

“This writing competition provides a fun connection with our Italian sister city,” said William Denevan, chair of the Sister Cities Sestri sub-committee.

More information on the Hans Christian Andersen Writing Contest is available at www.cityofsantacruz.com/sistercities

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