Somerville mayor visiting potential sister city in Morocco

A scene from Tiznit.

By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

Mayor Joseph Curtatone is in Tiznit, Morocco, to establish a sister city relationship with the leaders of that community.

Curtatone is traveling at his own expense with several local business leaders and artists, city spokesman Tom Champion said, adding that Tiznit representatives contacted Somerville, since the city has ties to the University of the Middle East campus in Boston.

Before Tiznit becomes Somerville's third sister city, a delegation has to visit Somerville, and both cities' legislative bodies must pass resolutions.

Somerville's current sister cities are Gaeta, Italy, and Yucuaiquin, El Salvador. Champion called Gaeta a "natural choice," in light of Somerville's large Italian population. He said the city partnered with Yucuaiquin at the urging of the Salvadoran immigrant community.

Curtatone also hopes to establish sister cities in the Azores, Brazil, and Tibet, according to Champion, since many local immigrants hail from these nations.

"This is definitely one of the benefits of being a community that is both a college town and also incredibly diverse," Champion said, adding that sister cities offer school exchange programs and new business opportunities.

Curtatone and his traveling companions will return to the All America City on Tuesday, Champion said.