Mayor Groves to visit Isola del Liri to sign sister city agreement

Caledon and Isola del Liri have many similarities and shared goals

By Zachary Roman

It won't be long before Caledon officially has a sister city in Italy.

On July 17, Mayor Annette Groves will be traveling to Isola del Liri, a town an hour outside of Rome, to sign a sister city agreement between it and the Town of Caledon. The signing will formalize the relationship of the two towns after over a year of discussions and visits between their leaders.

Ward 5 Councillor Tony Rosa will be in Italy with his wife this month — the pair are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. Rosa has agreed to be in Isola del Liri on the July 17 for the signing, as he speaks fluent Italian and can help with translation. 

Some of the main goals of the two towns becoming sisters include having cultural exchanges, working together on economic development, and sharing tourism strategies. Rosa said Bolton business Jesse Tree Importing is already working with clients in Isola del Liri to bring new products to Caledon.

Rosa explained Caledon first started exploring becoming a sister city with Isola del Liri last summer. Former Mayor Allan Thompson and a group of Councillors visited the Italian town last year, and a group of Isola del Liri's Councillors visited Caledon for the 2022 Caledon Italian Heritage Day festival.

Soon, Caledon's Economic Development department was drafting documents alongside Isola del Liri's to define what the two towns' relationship would be.

Rosa said negotiating back and forth has been a very rewarding experience and many great ideas for partnerships have come from it.

While Groves is going to Isola del Liri to sign the agreement soon, Isola del Liri's mayor will be coming to Caledon for a signing ceremony as well. Rosa said Caledon is thinking of hosting them in the fall so they can enjoy the beautiful colours Caledon is known for. 

Rosa said Caledon and Isola del Liri share many synergies. Both towns were started when mills were built in them; both towns are an hour outside a major capital; both towns are pushing for growth in their tourism sectors; and both communities are committed to agriculture.

Isola del Liri also likes that Caledon is becoming a major golf destination, said Rosa, and it would like to explore that too. On the cultural side of things, the towns have discussed sending artists back and forth.

For example, each July, Isola del Liri hosts one of the largest blues and jazz festivals in Europe. Caledon is considering having its own festival and bringing over artists from Italy. The two towns have also discussed exchange student opportunities and tour group visits. 

“We're trying to put Caledon on the map and trying to expand our tourism opportunities,” said Rosa. “There are so many things that are being discussed.”

Rosa said Caledon is looking forward to the opportunities that will come from being a sister city with Isola del Liri. More details on the signing ceremony in Caledon will come at a later date.