Mayor LaToya Cantrell traveled to Ascona, Switzerland, on June 22 to participate in the official signing of a sister city agreement to foster a long-term partnership between the two cities. Cantrell signed the formal agreement with Mayor Luca Pissoglio on Saturday, June 25, at the Ascona City Hall and attended the Jazz Ascona Festival “Sister Cities Edition.”
“New Orleans and Ascona share the distinction of being among their respective continents’ oldest city,” said Cantrell. “New Orleans also shares with our sister city a deep appreciation and respect for jazz, as evidenced by our annual jazz festivals. I appreciate and welcome this cultural exchange of music, art, and ideas, while simultaneously sharing the richness and diversity of New Orleans. Our similarities and commonalities extend beyond this cultural exchange and sister city agreement. Both of our low-lying cities sit on the frontlines of climate change, and this agreement creates additional opportunities to work hand in hand to share tools and resources that address the global crises greatly impacting the places we call home. It is my hope that also through this agreement, we will bring our cultures and ideas together to gain and foster a greater understanding of the world we live in. Mayor Pissoglio and I look forward to a bright future that continues to celebrate and share our cultural, environmental, and economic ties.”
Through this formal agreement, Cantrell and Pissoglio will be able to share valuable resources and approaches in economics, education and culture. The partnership also allows the cities of New Orleans and Ascona to create educational partnerships and developments, including joint research, study abroad and teaching programs.
JazzAscona: Sister Cities Edition featured more than 200 concerts and 300 musicians, as well as events such as gospel choirs, jam sessions, exhibits, conferences and films. JazzAscona was first established in Lugano, Switzerland, in 1975 as Festa New Orleans and moved to Ascona in 1985.
As part of the visit, Cantrell will presented Pissoglio with a one-of-a-kind painting by New Orleans artist Kenneth Scott, Jr., titled We Are the Streets. The portrait represents New Orleans’ Afro-centric culture, which was specifically made for the City of Ascona. During the ceremonies, Mayor Cantrell also presented the Sister Cities Award to New Orleans-based non-profit organization Roots of Music, highlighting the group’s work with youth in music education, academic support and mentorship. Roots of Music has extraordinarily served New Orleans youth year-round, five days a week for over 15 years.
