The decision to twin was unanimously approved in separate extraordinary sessions of the municipal councils of both towns. This official act will serve to jointly celebrate the union with the residents of Almàssera and El Toro.
The bond between these two municipalities is based on deep family roots, historical ties, and festive affinities that date back decades. During the 1950s and 1970s, numerous families from El Toro settled in the orchards north of Valencia, seeking job opportunities and a better life. Almàssera, due to its geographical proximity, became one of the main destinations chosen by these families, who fully integrated into the local social and economic fabric, contributing their culture and customs, elements that are now an intrinsic part of Almàssera's identity.
The main objective of this twinning is to recognize and strengthen the shared identity, while also promoting cultural and festive exchanges, boosting tourism, and mutual promotion between both municipalities. Furthermore, it aims to foster cooperation on local development projects and promote educational and intergenerational coexistence programs. To manage these initiatives, a Twinning Committee has been established to define the protocol and the program of events.
The mayors of Almàssera, Emilio José Belencoso Rodrigo, and El Toro held their first meeting in El Toro. Belencoso emphasized that the twinning reinforces the sense of identity and belonging that many Almàssera residents feel towards El Toro due to their family origins.
One of the notable planned activities is a joint photographic exhibition that will portray both Almàssera and El Toro. The exhibition will feature historical and landscape images from both municipalities, illustrating the ties that unite them.
To enrich this exhibition, the Almàssera City Council has called on citizens to share old photographs, both of summer holidays and historical images of both towns, which can help recover collective memory. Images can be sent to the email address amparo.soriano@almassera.es.
“"We want this twinning not to remain just an institutional act, but for the residents of Almàssera and El Toro to make it their own. The photographs you keep at home are the best way to tell what unites us."
The detailed program of the event, including times and locations, will be announced shortly.
