The twinning of the Municipality of Aegina and the Municipality of Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA, was sealed with a warm ceremony that confirmed the bonds of friendship and collaboration between the two cities on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Kapodistrian Orphanage of Aegina. Ioannis Zorbas, Mayor of Aegina, welcomed the Tarpon Springs delegation with a heartfelt speech that emphasized the ongoing cultural, social and economic cooperation between the two cities, based on the principles of mutual benefit and common ideals. In the same vein, Konstantinos Vatikiotis, Mayor of Tarpon Springs relayed how the immigrant community from Aegina has built a substantial Greek colony that fiercely protects and preserves Greek customs and traditions.

Mr. Zorbas presented the Mayor of Tarpon Springs with an honorary plaque and a handmade clay model of Aegina, while the latter gifted a shell collected by his father, a former sponge diver. Mr. Vatikiotis received additional gifts from citizens attending the event.

The event concluded with traditional dances performed by local dance groups and music by string ensemble “Aeginoviolia.”