Bétera and the Italian town of Pont-Saint-Martin have celebrated the 25th anniversary of their twinning during the August festivities. A municipal delegation from the Aosta Valley and its music band have participated in various local traditions, such as ‘la Rodà’, ‘la Cordà’, ‘la Coetà’, and ‘la Cantà d’Albaes’, and have officially renewed the commitment of union that began a quarter of a century ago.
The most significant institutional event took place in the City Council's Plenary Hall, where the mayoress of Bétera, Elia Verdevío, and her Italian counterpart, Marco Sucquet, symbolically signed the renewal. They were accompanied by the mayors who initiated the original protocol in 2001, Amparo Domènech and Alberto Cretaz.
Elia Verdevío highlighted the quarter-century of twinning, stating it goes “far beyond a formal agreement” and thanking the involvement of the municipal corporations and residents. She emphasized the “leading role of music,” as the bands from both municipalities facilitated the initial encounters. Verdevío stated that “that decision was the beginning of a shared history made of people, encounters, trips, traditions, and, above all, friendship.” For his part, Marco Sucquet stressed the common will to continue promoting cultural exchanges and neighborly collaboration between both municipalities.
The delegation from Pont-Saint-Martin integrated into the festivities, participating in events such as the Presentation, where the First Married Woman, Nathalie Martínez Arnal, entered accompanied by Alberto Cretaz. The Music Band of Pont-Saint-Martin, conducted by Walter Chenuil, opened the August Festivities Presentation event with the pasodoble ‘Valencia’ and offered a concert at the Municipal Sports Center.
On the main day of the festivities, the Italian musicians participated in ‘la Rodà de les Alfàbegues’, accompanying the First Single Woman, Mireia García Ricart. They also experienced symbolic acts such as ‘la Cantà d’Albaes’, ‘la Cordà‘, and ‘la Coetà’.
