Inspired by the friendship of Thomas Jefferson and Italian-born Philip Mazzei, their hometowns recently celebrated their 30th year as sister cities. Officials from Poggio a Caiano, which is located between the Ombrone river and Montalbano in the province of Prato (the sister to Albemarle County), visited Charlottesville to meet with city and University officials this month
The visiting Italian delegation consisted of Silvano Gelli, mayor of Poggio a Caiano; Angelo Formichella, head councilor for cultural affairs for Poggio a Caiano; Salvatore Conte, city councilor for Poggio a Caiano; Salvatore Pirronello, city councilor for Poggio a Caiano; Roberto Rosati, head councilor for tourism for Prato; and Alberto Peruzzini, director of the tourism agency for Prato.
The city formally welcomed these international travelers at a press conference, held in front of City Hall on July 2.
"This has been a wonderful experience over the last 30 years," said Sally Thomas, chair of Albemarle County's board of supervisors.
She cited the fact that many officials and students have traveled back and forth between the two cities as one of the benefits of the partnership forged between Charlottesville and Poggio a Caiano.
Gelli echoed Thomas' words, saying they hoped many "young people come from Charlottesville to Italy."
Trading places
The logistics of forming a University exchange program were one of the main topics of discussion between Italian and University officials.
The visitors met with the members of the University's Spanish, Portuguese and Italian department and expressed their eagerness to begin an exchange program, particularly among students studying art history, architecture or Italian language and literature.
According to Peruzzini, the Prato area is a popular location for studying Italian art and language. Gelli added that a student exchange would be a "good way to bring forth the sisterhood between Charlottesville and Poggio a Caiano."
In addition to academic exchanges, officials pointed out that student tourism exchanges could also serve to benefit University students. According to Peruzzini, visiting Poggio a Caiano would be an excellent first step to discovering Tuscany because its central location allows travelers easy access to many of the region's cities.
Another proposal put forth by the Italian officials was for an exchange program to benefit some of the University's student athletes. Through the proposed exchange, the University's golf club would have the chance to play on some of Prato's courses while players from their golf clubs would in turn come and experience courses in the Charlottesville area.
Various soccer teams from Charlottesville have already benefited from a similar opportunity in Poggio a Caiano.
A historical connection
On several occasions, Italian officials spoke about the rich historical links between the two cities formed by the friendship of Jefferson and Mazzei.
According to Formichella, Mazzei lived in London for 20 years and met various American revolutionaries before deciding to travel to America to start a new life for himself.
After arriving in America, Mazzei joined the revolutionary movement that was sweeping the colonies, eventually joining George Washington's army and becoming a close friend of Jefferson.
Formichella added that the Constitutional concept of "happiness for all" was likely an idea of Mazzei, one that he carried home to Poggio a Caiano along with many others.
"We have found [common] historical elements and also common values [between the two cities]," Formichella said.
Today, the legacy of both Mazzei and Jefferson lives on in the two cities, providing firmer ground for their continued friendship and cooperation.
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