Representatives of Ghajnsielem and the Italian town of Loreto signed a twinning agreement during a ceremony on Sunday.

The ceremony was held in 10th December Square, with the friendship agreement signed by Ghajnsielem Mayor Kevin Cauchi and Loreto Deputy Lord Mayor Nazzareno Pighetti, for the start of formal relations between the two towns.

A limestone monument – Hbiberija – commemorating the event was also unveiled. The work is by local artist Joe Xuereb.

Mayor Kevin Cauchi, writing on Facebook, said that “this is a historic monument for our locality because it will be a friendship based first and foremost on the devotion towards the Madonna of Loreto but also on a strong collaboration in terms of cultural, economic, educational and sporting opportunities where both our communities will benefit.”

He presented a replica of the Ghajnsielem titular statue of Loreto which will be placed inside the Commune the Loreto. The Feast of Our Lady of Loreto was celebrated in Ghajnsielem on Sunday.

Over the following day, the delegation from Loreto, led by Deputy Lord Mayor Nazzareno Pighetti, had the opportunity to meet with staff from the Ghajnsielem primary school and local organisations who were able to give introductions on themselves.

The Ghajnsielem Local Council explained that this friendship agreement with Loreto is “all about collaborating together to share and exchange ideas, learn about each other’s cultures and work together for the benefit of our communities and it has started on a very strong foundation.”

Dt. Paola Traferro made a very interesting presentation about the town of Loreto, then Loreto President of the City Council and councillors responsible for twinning, culture and education gave a short speech to those present.

Photographs: Ghajnsielem Local Council

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