A friendship that has already lasted for decades between Kaunas and the Northern Italian city of Brescia has been officially strengthened by the signatures of both cities’ mayors. The sister city agreement commits to continued cooperation in areas such as sports, education, culture, tourism, and more.

Establishing city partnerships is a powerful tool of diplomacy, encouraging mutual understanding, cooperation, and cultural exchange. These links between the communities of different nations embody the European spirit, build bridges of friendship and cooperation, and overcome linguistic, cultural, and geographical barriers.

“By sharing experiences, challenges, and successes, Kaunas and Brescia will be able to support each other during times of hardship and will create long-lasting and deep relationships based on trust and respect,” said the Mayor of Brescia, Laura Castelletti, during the ceremony at Kaunas Castle, where she was accompanied by the delegation.

On the 5^th of July a sister city agreement between municipalities of Brescia and Kaunas has been signed at Kaunas Castle. The agreement will help cities facilitate the further development of culture, education, social integration, children rights protection and youth affairs, promotion of UNESCO, sports, science, medicine and other activities.

Priorities are given to the exchange of experiences in innovation, sustainable development, cultural heritage and the tourism sectors.

 

Connections between the cities started in 1993 – when the president of Italian company „Il Sogno di Arūnas“ started informal connections with Kaunas. In 2002, the first cities’ protocol of intent was signed, and in 2022 clubs of “Kaunas Rotary Hansa” and “Brescia Veronica Gambera Rotary” started cooperating.

For more than thirty years, projects in social and health protection, sports, and culture have been implemented. One of the most prominent is the construction and furnishing of the adult orphanage “Mauros namai” in Karmėlava. Here, young women who have reached adulthood are provided with temporary housing and gain skills for independent living.

Both cities have implemented the initiatives “Project to school” and “Summer in Italy”. Around 300 children growing up in socially vulnerable environment have received financial support for purchasing school supplies. Children from impoverished families and orphans have spent their summer and winter holidays visiting Italian families. Through Brescia’s Red and White Cross organizations, Kaunas hospitals have received ambulances and other medical equipment.

 

“This cooperation is strong, counting decades. We have a lot of uniting factors: both cities are listed in UNESCO World Heritage list, both are members of the Creative Cities and Learning Cities Global Networks, and we can share our experiences as cultural capitals.

Brescia is a growing, dashing and ambitious city. Italians, just like Kaunas, invests a fair amount into sports, and are concerned with students’ education and socialization. I believe, that a stronger sister city relationship will facilitate more opportunities for projects”, – said Kaunas Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis said about strengthened partnership.

According to him, Italian delegation was left with a lasting impression after excursion to “Science Island” museum, the “Sports Hall” and Darius and Girenas stadium. The guests also took part in the “Operetta in Kaunas Castle” event, featuring Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Madam Butterfly,” dedicated to commemorating the distinguished composer’s 100th anniversary of his death.

The nearest visit has already been planned – the delegation of Brescia is planning to take part in the opening of “Science Island” this autumn, and people from Kaunas have been invited to visit Brescia, where the analogical sister city agreement will be signed.

Kaunas is maintaining friendly relations with four Italian cities – Ferrara (1998), Cava de’ Tirreni (2008) and Brescia (2024), protocol of intent signed with Rende (2003).

Information from the Public Relations Department