You can add Calatafimi Segesta, Italy to Mayor Ian Sutherland's list of international travel destinations since being elected to the community's top political post.
He want to Prague last July for the Olympic announcement and then jetted to Shimizu-Cho, Japan in the winter to visit Squamish's sister city.
The latest transcontinental flight was made at the invitation of Mayor Necola Cristaldi and the people of Calatafimi Segesta.
The seeds for the trip were planted when Cristaldi, who also happens to be the equivalent of a Canadian Member of Parliament, was in B.C. with a delegation of Italians earlier this year.
The Italian politician saw great potential for close relations between his town and Squamish.
Sutherland accepted the invitation to join Cristaldi to mark the 114th anniversary of the battle that Giuseppe Garibaldi, the namesake of Mt. Garibaldi, led to liberate Italy.
"It's a big part of their history," Sutherland said. "May 15 is their version of our Remembrance Day."
Sutherland participated in the official ceremonies with Cristaldi and other Italian dignitaries. Garibaldi's great-great-grand daughter unveiled a plaque celebrating the life of Garibaldi and Sutherland was part of the group of dignitaries on hand for the event.
Outside of the Garibaldi celebrations, Sutherland said he learned about the rich history of the region and spoke to the Italians about opportunities relating to close future relations.
Sutherland saw parallels between his town and the host Italian town.
"They historically were an agricultural community and are now more into a recreation and tourism community," Sutherland said the morning after his return.
There was an abandoned Greek temple in the area, Sutherland explained, that Cristaldi played a key role in converting into a significant tourist draw.
Sutherland believes Squamish's decision to celebrate Garibaldi's birthday on July 4 this year is a good one that will lead to many positives for Squamish. He hopes an Italian delegation will come to Squamish to mark the occasion in the shadow of the mountain named after the Italian war hero.
"The Garibaldi festival starting this year, with his [Cristaldi] influence can be much larger than we ever expected," Sutherland said.
The mayor said that while he was in Italy he spoke to the Italians about a potential sister city relationship that can help promote investment, business opportunities, student exchanges, cultural exchanges and hosting opportunities for the Olympics in Torino and Vancouver.
Sutherland said it was a great trip and he's excited about the future of the relationship between Squamish and Calatafimi Segesta.
