Puerto Vallarta Mayor, Professor Luis Alberto Michel Rodríguez, led the commemorative act of the 50 years of twinning of Puerto Vallarta and Santa Bárbara, California, in the central courtyard of the municipal palace, where the ratification of the Friendship Agreement of Sister Cities was signed.
Professor Michel stressed that “only brotherhood and fraternity are capable of awakening the deepest values in humanity and that is precisely what was celebrated on this occasion, a brotherhood of half a century with our family from Santa Barbara, California”.
He recalled that 50 years have passed since this Committee of Sister Cities was born in 1972 and that it brought with it great contributions to Puerto Vallarta, such as the Santa Bárbara rehabilitation clinic, the hyperbaric chamber (one of the three that existed in the country at that time ), the fountain of dolphins on the Malecón, the exchange program between the police corporations of both cities, still in force, more donations, construction of libraries, support for the Fire Department and much more from our generous brother.
“Today that we renew this twinning, I am sure that we will continue to find that strong spirit to add to progress, and we will continue together knocking on doors and generating resources for the benefit of Puerto Vallarta and Santa Bárbara. Today we once again make the commitment to continue strengthening the noble brotherhood of our beautiful cities. Congratulations on these 50 years of being Puerto Vallarta – Santa Barbara Sister Cities. Let’s go for another 50 more! Vallarta has its doors open.”
For her part, the president of the Committee of Sister Cities of Puerto Vallarta, Irma Lorena Pérez Copado, said that for five decades there have been “historically exciting and challenging moments, building a stronger and more lasting understanding. We have achieved a greater understanding and appreciation of our cultures. There have been many notable events, including numerous back-and-forth exchanges, of social and economic impact. We wish our cities and associations a continuous, close and fruitful relationship, which can contribute to building world peace.” The president of the Santa Barbara Sister Cities Committee, Sebastián Aldana Jr., read the same message in English.
Previously, four paintings were shown with commemorative works of this great occasion, which enunciate the words love, brotherhood, respect, and friendship.
Also present at the event were councilors María Elena Curiel Preciado, Pablo Ruperto Gómez Andrade, and Christian Eduardo Alonso Robles, directors of different departments, as well as a large group of members of the Committees of Sister Cities of Santa Bárbara and Puerto Vallarta.
