San Gwann twinned with Monreale

January 17 was a red-letter day for San Gwann council when it signed a twinning agreement with the council of Monreale, Sicily. The mayor, Mrs Helen Fenech, and the rest of the delegation were officially welcomed by the mayor of Monreale, Dott. Salvino Caputo, in the Sala Rossa of the 18th century town hall where the aldermen and councillors were also present.

Closer relations were discussed as well as the possibility of student and artist exchanges. High on the agenda was the support Monreale will be giving San Gwann Council in obtaining funds from the European Union to rehabilitate the neolithic cart ruts in the locality. The participation of a Sicilian team in the forthcoming football tournament organised by the San Gwann nursery was also considered.

Monreale is famous for its sumptuous Norman cathedral as well as the breathtaking panorama of the Conca d'Oro plain, which includes the city of Palermo.

An interesting programme of visits and activities was organised for the Maltese group, including a tour of the cathedral with its 6,300 sq. metres of mosaic and a visit to the historical Benedictine monastery at San Martino delle Scale founded by Pope Gregory the Great in the sixth century. There they met the cheerful Maltese monk Fr Joseph Caruana who has been living in the monastery for 34 years. Later they were invited to a special meal in the refectory and on Sunday attended a Gregorian sung Mass.

The Maltese visitors were received by the new Archbishop of Monreale, Mgr Cataldo Naro. They were also taken to a contemporary art museum with its imposing baroque-style staircase in Carrara and Billiemi marble. Mayor Fenech was interviewed by a local radio station and journalists covered the signing ceremony.

Besides the mayor, the San Gwann delegation included the deputy mayor, Tony C. Cutajar, councillor Etienne Bonello DuPuis and the administrative secretary, Josef Grech.