Sister Cities Declare Washington DC And San Salvador

Before the guests and a crowd gathered in the Plaza Barrios of the Salvadoran capital, mayors Muriel Bowser (left) and Ernesto Muyshondt show the twinning agreement between San Salvador and Washington DC. Photo: Courtesy Victor Caycho Washinton Hispanic   In a vibrant public ceremony, held in Plaza Barrios, one of the most representative of the Salvadoran capital, the mayors of Washington DC, Muriel Bowser, and San Salvador, Ernesto Muyshondt, signed their signatures on the twinning agreement of both cities , on Monday, the 13th.  

Since then DC and San Salvador have been “Sister Cities”, an agreement that will allow both communes to work in various programs of economic development, public safety, culture, education, environment and intergovernmental cooperation, among others.  

During her speech, Mayor Bowser emphasized that the capital of the United States is home to the second largest Salvadoran community in the country. “We will work hard for this twinning to take concrete actions that build truly safe and united communities in the two cities,” he said.  

In turn, Mayor Muyshondt stressed that as “Sister Cities”, Washington DC and San Salvador have the same vision, where the interests of citizens are first of all.   He also considered that the programs that will launch destines resources directed to the young people, so that they stimulate a positive growth.   Among the initial plans is the construction of a library, which was announced by businessman Rudy Mounib Saibaly, of the company MCN Build. The work, he said, will be a gift from the mayor of DC to its counterpart in San Salvador.  

With an impressive public framework and the attendance of deputies, diplomats, members of the trade and diplomatic mission arriving from Washington as well as councilors of the municipalities of Washington DC and San Salvador, the Twinning ceremony was held between the capitals of the United States and El Salvador. Salvador, respectively.  

Excited, the Salvadoran mayor Ernesto Muyshondt stressed in his speech that Washington has more than 225 years of history and that in that time that city has signed 14 twinning agreements, but that San Salvador is the first city in Latin America with which this type of agreement.   This agreement will bring many opportunities for cooperation, he said.   During his speech and looking at Mayor Bowser, he referred to the person who launched the original twinning initiative.

He praised the vision of a Salvadoran, Jackie Reyes, who more than 10 years ago suggested Muriel Bowser, then councilor, to reach the mayor’s office to establish an agreement of this type with San Salvador.  

“Thanks Jackie, for never forgetting your land. Thank you for demonstrating that the impetus and effort of Salvadorans does not stop, “the mayor said between applause.   Reyes, who arrived as a child in Washington DC, is currently the executive director of the Office of the Mayor for Latino Affairs, which reports directly to Bowser, through which she promotes and defends the actions of the Salvadoran community living in the US capital. As such, she was present in the act and shed tears of emotion upon hearing this eulogy.  

The words of Mayor Bowser, who also received applause when she claimed to be in love with El Salvador, a country she visits for the first time, were no less emotional. In addition, he said that “they have received us with a red carpet,” in allusion to the kindness, hospitality and affection shown by the Salvadorans during their stay.  

“I am very excited, my team is also excited after working for many months to finalize the agreement and organize this trip,” he said.   Then he considered that this agreement of Twinning “is serious, and for that reason I wanted to be present in San Salvador to sign it”.   Fon firmly added that “this will not be a simple promise on paper … they will be real ideas, with real talent and people committed to making it work for the truth”.  

“I am proud of the first brotherhood agreement signed under my government,” he said, adding that “we will work hard to build a safe and united community.”   Both mayors also highlighted the importance of the historic agreement, which will launch a vast program plan, ranging from economic development, promotion of youth development and education, to literacy, violence prevention and crime.  

The ceremony had a festive finale, under the strains of the Sal Salvador Symphony Orchestra, which performed several songs that were celebrated with applause from those present.   WANTED TO PREPARE PUPUSAS   • As part of the program prepared for such an illustrious visitor, Mayor Muriel Bowser visited the town of Olocuilta, in the department of La Paz, where the tastiest pupusas, the national dish of El Salvador, are tasted.

• There he entered La Salvadoreña, where he savored a freshly made pupusa.

• Before that, the business employees showed her how that dish is cooked. • The mayor tried to help and tried to turn a pupusa, but it was split in half, before a smiling mayor.

• In the place, Bowser was received by the mayor of Olocuilta, Marvin Rodríguez, who was accompanied by the mayor of San Salvador, Ernesto Muyshondt.