Two sisters united for 20 years, despite over nine thousand kilometers apart. Signed on 28 April 2004, Bologna and Portland (in Oregon, in the United States) celebrated the twentieth anniversary of their twinning at Palazzo d’Accursio, where a delegation of ten young Americans, welcomed into the living room by the families of their peers from Bologna, was received in the Red Room. With them, the American guests of the PBSCA (‘Portland Bologna Sister City Association’), led by president Phil Potestio, accompanied by Sally Hudson, Catherine Di Gregorio and Brian Schettini. “The best thing that could have happened – says Potestio –. Bologna is special”.
One of the initiatives promoted by the twinning is the exchange – in Bologna organized by the Municipality and Yoda Aps – between young people aged 15 to 18, which takes place over two years: one of stay of a group from Bologna in Portland and one of reception of a American group in Italy, the following year. In the meantime, Anna Lisa Boni, councilor for International Relations, welcomes the delegation: “Two cities that must continue to collaborate. We are a welcoming and diversified city. Those who arrive here, like you, are Bolognese in all respects”, she says.
Portland is bigger than Bologna. However, the two realities – in addition to a common passion for football – are associated by an important basketball history: Bologna, thanks to Virtus and Fortitudo, is known as ‘Basket city’; the American twin thanks to the Trail Blazers is ‘Rip city’, attributable to the whoosh of the ball entering the retina. Mattia Santori, delegate for Youth Policies, explains: “Next time we will be the ones to bring this family together. Thank you for creating this partnership”. This year the Americans will remain in Bologna until July 2nd, also visiting Ravenna and Florence.
Giovanni DiCaprio
