Milan

2021-02-04 01:56:19
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About the city

 

Milan is the second most populated city in Italy after Rome, with more than 1.3 million inhabitants. The city is the capital of Lombardy, a region in the north Italy, which is both the wealthiest and the most populous. At different points in time, Milan has been home to the Roman Empire, France, Spain, Austria and eventually become the main center for the Italian resistance movement during World War II.

 

As a leading global city, Milan is considered the financial center of Italy and is internationally recognized as the fashion capital of the world. A major attraction in the city is the Santa Maria delle Grazie, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the famous “The Last Supper” drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, confirming centuries of art and culture in Milan. In addition, the city has a large number of museums, theatres and international events including Milan Fashion Week and Expo 2015. These attract over 8 million visitors every year.

 

 

The twinning agreement

 

In May 2000, the then Mayor of Milan, Mr. Gabriele Albertini, and the then Mayor of Bethlehem, Mr. Hanna Nasser, signed a friendship and twinning agreement.

 

Milan showed the willing to develop the relationship between the two cities and their citizens in the field of public administration, economy, science, culture, education, commercial exchange and tourism, as it promoted the exchange of official delegations, political representative, social organizations and school groups.

 

Soon after the twinning in 2000, Bethlehem welcomed the Milan delegation at the opening ceremony of the Italian Tourist Information Center. It also hosted an art exhibition of the “Last Supper” during the Italian Week. In addition, Bethlehem made the Italian language courses available for its citizens.

 

In 2012, the Mayor of Milan Mr. Giuliano Pisapia, visited the Italian Palestinian Cultural center in Bethlehem, where both cities agreed to continue working together on waste management and capacity building in the framework of the Palestinian Municipalities Support Programme. In the same year, the then mayor of Bethlehem, Ms. Vera Baboun hosted 17 teachers from Milan University, who came to Bethlehem to check its history and political situation.

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