Mayor Horwath is visiting Racalmuto and Valle Peligna, Hamilton's Italian twin cities

Mayor Andrea Horwathisin Italy for nearly two weeks to meet with government officials and dignitaries inRacalmutoandValle Peligna Hamilton's long-timetwin cities.

Horwath left on Monday, as part of a tradition between the two cities that has seen former Mayor Fred Eisenbergervisit Racalmutoin 2016. Racalmuto mayor Vincenzo Maniglia visited Hamiltonin September 2022.

"Italy has remained one of Hamilton's closest international friendships for over 30 years. It is a privilege to be part of this delegation celebrating our twin cities," Horwath said in a press release.

Racalmutobecame a sister city in 1985, when Hamilton's mayors began visiting the region. The town of Valle Peligna in Abruzzo became another Italian sister city in 1992.

The city said in a press release that there are around 25,000 Hamilton residents with roots in Racalmuto. There arejust over 8,000 people livingin Racalmuto.

Part of Murray Street West in Hamilton's Ward 2 is named Corso Racalmuto, after the city's Racalmutese population.

In 1996, according to Sicilia Canta Canada, a Hamilton-based Sicilian organization, Hamilton and Racalmuto shared the first ever satellite communication across the ocean. The event connected Hamilton's Sicilian community with relatives in Italy in a time before the Internet was widely available.

Mayor is 'strengthening' bond between cities

Horwath is in Italy with members of the Sicilian Cultural Society of Hamilton, Festa del Monte Hamilton and Fratellanza Racalmutese Hamilton. She'll also visitPalermo and Rome, according to a city press release.

Joe Curto, president of the Fratellanza Racalmutese Italian Club, is part of the group of 70 people who went to Italy to join Horwath.

Curto said he's also there to reconnect with his roots and see the week of celebration and festivals for the city's Italian community, including the Feast of Maria SS. Del Monte, an important religious feast celebrated in Sicily, Hamilton and Buffalo, N.Y.

Curto said Racalmutese people wanted to create a new "large candle" as a symbol in the festivities that can commemorate people who left Racalmuto. The symbol, he said, was tobe unveiled Wednesday night.

"It's strengthening the twinning of the cities," Curto said.

Curto also said people criticizing Horwath for going to Italy don't understand the importance of the trip. He also said the city isn't paying for anyone's flights or expenses.

"There's more people living in Hamilton from Racalmuto than there is in Racalmuto itself," he said.

"The mayor is here to reconnect."