MESSINA – La Vara, Messina and the proximity to Palmi. During the fifth commission chaired by Raimondo Mortelliti, the resolution for the twinning between the two cities, linked for decades by the tradition of the cult of the Assumption, was voted favorably. Now the ball will pass to the municipal council of both cities. After the possible signature, two almost parallel events will take place, one in Palmi and one Messina, to announce the twinning which will also allow Vara to be accredited at a national and international level.
Caruso: “We have been distracted for decades”
The councilor for Culture and Tourism Enzo Caruso explained it: “This resolution should have been made 500 years ago because it is well known that the city of Messina welcomed Charles V and created a triumphal chariot, the ancestor of the Vara, which perhaps it already existed. After the visit of Charles V it was transformed into the ascension of Maria Assunta. Over time some cities were twinned with Messina, which allowed cities like Randazzo and Palmi to celebrate like Messina. In Palmi a cart was initially built which was carried on the shoulder. At the beginning of the 20th century the city participated in an arts and crafts fair, but then transformed it into a towed cart. By virtue of its origins, however, Palmi has been included in the UNESCO list of events with shoulder carts”.
The councilor continued: “We Messina people have been distracted for decades and in fact Vara is not registered at a national and international level. More attention was needed. Now what is the path to take? The Ministry of Culture explained to us that it is a long journey. To shorten it, we should twin as Palmi did with a Spanish city, where the process is quicker. The path has started and will lead us to official recognition. Meanwhile, Palmi has asked for twinning with Messina and now our city council is being asked to sanction this agreement and this closeness. The proposal concerns the creation of a twinning committee with mayors, councilors and some selected members. The main signing event is expected to take place here in Messina. I believe it is right to take note of this twinning because the city has been the promoter of the cult of the Madonna della Lettera in other places and rightly so”.
