The Municipal Council of Monselice, in the province of Padua, unanimously approved the twinning on Anthony Prado, in Rio Grande do Sul.
The initiative recognizes the historic connection between the two locations, a result of the great Italian migration to Brazil that began 150 years ago.
Antonio Prado, with 15 thousand inhabitants, is considered the most Italian city in Brazil, where 80% of the population understands the Venetian dialect and 30% still uses it in their daily lives.
The process of twinning (sister cities) It began in 2019 with an agreement between the Monselice Workers' Society and the Pradense Mutual Aid Society.
Even with the pandemic, relations were maintained, driven by local leaders like Lucio Merlin. According to advisor Andrea Parolo, the initiative is expected to have a tourism and economic impact, as well as strengthen cultural ties. "Brazilians have a great interest in dual Italian citizenship and value their origins," he emphasized.
O twinning will go through bureaucratic stages at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Veneto Region. With final approval, a delegation from Antonio Prado, led by Mayor Roberto José Dalle Molle, will visit Monselice in May to formalize the agreement. Later, Italian representatives will participate in the celebrations in Brazil.
O Lions Club of Monselice also joined the partnership and donated a sculpture by artist Domenico Travaglia to symbolize the historic migration.
