Christiansted, Frederiksted and Charlotte Amalie have been invited to become twin cities with the Italian hamlet of Montescudaio, as a way of exploring mutual trade and cultural exchanges.
Since March 2009, Sen. Wayne James has been in communication with Montescudaio Mayor Aurelio Pellegrini, who contacted James with the twin-city suggestion, through a mutual friend.
James plans to introduce a resolution to the Legislature to formalize the relationship, and Pellegrini has introduced a similar initiative to secure the relationship under Italian law, according to a statement from James’ office.
With its population of just fewer than 2,000 inhabitants, Montescudaio is located in Italy’s Tuscany region, about 45 kilometers southeast of Pisa. Founded in the late 1100s, the town’s name derives from the Latin “Mons Scutarum,” or “mountain of shields.” The fortified town rose to prominence early in its history because of its strategic position, which affords commanding views of the islands in the Tuscan archipelago, as far as the mountains of Corsica.
But it is Montescudaio’s red wine, which has been produced for centuries, that is the basis of the town’s 21st-century fame. As early as 1887, the town’s wine won a silver medal at a national enological competition in Rome. And it is Montescudaio’s wine production and St. Croix’s rum production that is the basis of the twin-city initiative.
“We produce a renowned rum, and they manufacture a wonderful wine," James said. "They will market their wine in the Virgin Islands, and I will lay the foundation for the marketing of our rums in Italy." With luck, the international business will translate into revenue and jobs for the territory, he said.
“Besides, it is great for tourism,” James said. “Presently, about 3,000 Italians visit the Virgin Islands each year, staying, on average, two weeks per visit. And of all the tourists who visit our shores, the Italians spend more money, per person, than tourists from any other country—eating in our best restaurants and staying in our four- and five-star hotels. Every bottle of V.I. rum in an Italian bar or in someone’s liquor cabinet is advertising for us.”
The territory would be the third twin-city partner for Montescudaio, which also has relations with Castril de la Pena, Spain (since 2006); and Eberstadt, Germany (since 1984).
James is off to Montescudaio later this week, where, as guest of Pellegrini, he will be a goodwill ambassador at a series of gatherings, from winery tours and meetings with the village’s municipal council to a tribute to the American soldiers who died during the liberation of Montescudaio on June 30, 1944.
James will present bottles of single-barrel Cruzan Rum, compliments of the company, as gifts to his Italian hosts and plans to invite Pellegrini to the territory in early 2010.
