Monaco formalizes its twinning with the municipality of Dolceacqua

In the presence of Prince Albert II, the agreement was signed this Friday morning at Monaco Town Hall. It's now official: ties between Monaco and Dolceacqua are sealed through this twinning, which began in the Middle Ages with the marriage of Françoise Grimaldi and Luc Doria. In the presence of the Sovereign, Georges Marsan, Mayor of Monaco, Fulvio Gazzola, Mayor of Dolceacqua, members of the Monaco City Council and elected officials from the Ligurian town, the two mayors signed the Twinning Pledge.

In front of numerous guests, including the Mayors of the towns of Lucciana - José Galletti and Ostend - Bart Tommelein, both twinned with Monaco, each said a few words, after listening to the Italian and Monegasque anthems.

Recalling the historical links between the two communes, Georges Marsan reminded the audience that " a twinning arrangement should not be reduced to a mere celebration of past events: It is fully part of the present, and finds its justification in the common future that we will be able to build from today. "In his turn, the mayor of the Italian municipality spoke of the future with Monaco: " It's up to all of us to make these aspirations a reality, and to keep the flame of this relationship burning. There is no doubt in my mind about the future success of this twinning and, I'm sure, everyone will strive to make it flourish. Imagination, shared goodwill and mutual trust will enable us to conceive numerous projects and to fully realize them. This is the wish I express to you today. "

At the end of the ceremony, Georges Marsan presented Fulvio Gazzola with a painting, symbolizing the officialization of this twinning: a photograph created especially for the occasion by photographer Julien Spiewak, printed in only two copies, depicting the forearms of the two Mayors around the Monaco - Dolceacqua twinning logo.

The morning concluded with the signing of the Golden Book by the Albert II in the presence of the two mayors and the Italian Ambassador, Giulio Alaimo. The twinning continued in Italy on Friday afternoon. The Italian signing ceremony takes place in Piazza Mauro.

Source: www.monaco-tribune.com