Lisa Bartlett- DP Times Article for 10-9-09

Viterbo, Italy, Dana Point’s Sister City and what it means to our community

One of the items on my checklist as Mayor was to locate a sister city for Dana Point to have cross cultural ties and promote each others’ cities on an international basis.  The Dana Point City Council approved Viterbo as our sister city and in May, 2009 Viterbo Mayor Giulio Marini visited Dana Point to sign the official documents and formally establish our new relationship.  Accompanying Mayor Marini were Council Member Fabrizio Purchiaroni, and Maestro Stefano Vignati and General Manager Claudio Ferri of the TusciA Operafestival. 

In September I visited Viterbo, Italy, which is located about 60 miles north of Rome.  This amazing medieval city has 65,000 residents and still has the original protective stone wall around the inner city and offers only nine areas for points of entrance.  The government of Viterbo, led by Mayor Marini, ensures that whenever possible, all buildings and structures are restored and the architectural elements are kept intact.  Even the cobblestone streets are maintained the same way.  By doing so, the rich history and culture of Viterbo is preserved over time.  I was very impressed with the people of Viterbo who were genuinely gracious and welcomed me into the community.  Of course, the cuisine is fabulous and you do get accustomed to the late evening six course dinners.  My stay at the historic Terme dei Papi Resort, which is built around a natural volcanic formation, was a wonderful experience. 

I participated in the annual tradition held each September 3rd called La Macchina di La Santa Rosa.  Basically, an architectural masterpiece of different metals and materials which weighs five tons and stands four stories high is carried by 120 men called Facchini through the narrow streets of Viterbo to the Santa Rosa Church.  I also had the opportunity to meet and converse with many government officials, important businessmen and community leaders during my visit.  The day before I left Viterbo, Pope Benedict XVI flew in from Vatican City on his helicopter and led mass for over 9,000 people in the large park which is also utilized for the TusciA Operafestival.  There have been five Popes who were born in Viterbo and this special occasion represented the first time in over 750 years that a Pope had come to Viterbo to lead a mass and this event was televised live around the world.  Attendance at the mass for me was an incredible way to finish my memorable visit to Viterbo. 

Of course, I spoke very highly about Dana Point to everyone I came in contact with during my stay and many of the government officials and people of Viterbo want to come to visit Dana Point to learn about our culture and see firsthand what our city has to offer, especially our ocean related activities and special events in the community.  Our mutual Chambers of Commerce will be in communication and work together to cross promote the two cities. 

Well, the Sister City relationship led to discussions about the very successful outdoor TusciA Operafestival in Viterbo which then lead to the talk about an Italian American Opera Festival for Dana Point.  Long story short, we are now working on the Dana Point Italian American Opera Festival and targeting the inaugural event for September, 2010 in our Lantern Bay Park.  This event is being designed around the masterpieces of the Italian Opera and will offer 5-7 opera concerts over a ten day period, with an Italian Style Village showcasing a series of cultural, artistic and culinary experiences.  We are honored to have Maestro Stefano Vignati and General Manager Claudio Ferri of the TusciA Operafestival involved in our Dana Point cultural endeavor.

And finally, what does this mean for Dana Point?  The Sister City relationship and the Italian American Opera Festival provide the opportunity for many individuals, businesses and hotels in Dana Point to become acquainted with the Italian community from abroad, participate in the multi day festival and benefit with increased tourism.  And the same holds true for Viterbo, with people traveling to Viterbo to experience this wonderful historic city, special traditions and the TusciA Operafestival.  

The City of Dana Point will be notifying the public shortly about opportunities to become involved in the Sister City Committee or the Italian American Opera Festival Non-Profit Organization, so stay tuned for details. 

As Dana Point continues to build its history, it’s exciting and gratifying to continually provide opportunities for the community to become involved and be an integral part our history.  That is what makes Dana Point so special.