May 15, 2025
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mayor Benjamin D. Florsheim, 860-638-4801

A DELEGATION FROM MELILLI, SICILY VISITING MIDDLETOWN

Melilli City Municipal Band will offer a community concert on May 19

Middletown is being visited by dignitaries and citizens of our sister city, Melilli, Sicily. The visit is in mid-May to coincide with the Feast of St. Sebastian. 

The Melilli delegation, which will consist of about 54 people, includes Melilli’s Mayor Giuseppe Carta. Amongst the group will also be 15 members of the Banda Comunale Città di Melilli (Melilli City Municipal Band), along with academics, artists, and other members of the community of Melilli. The band will play several concerts during their visit, and the public is warmly invited to attend. 

The Melilli delegation will also set up a display at the Feast of Saint Sebastian in Middletown (May 16 through May 18). The exhibit, entitled Casa Melilli, will showcase local products and the culture of Melilli. There will be an official opening of Casa Melilli at 4:45pm on Friday, May 16 on the Feast grounds, followed by a concert of the Melilli City Municipal Band. Saint Sebastian Church is located at 155 Washington Street.

There will also be a screening of a documentary film about Sicilian-Americans living in Middletown on Saturday, May 17 at 2:30pm at Russell Library in the Hubbard Room. This documentary, spearheaded by Angelo Glaviano, a professor at Middlesex Community College, contains interviews with Middletown residents who moved to Middletown from Melilli, Sicily.

Mayor Benjamin D. Florsheim commented, “I am delighted to welcome the delegation from Melilli, Sicily, to Middletown. This sister cities relationship recognizes the familial and cultural ties many Middletown residents share with Melilli. Most community members, even those who do not share cultural ties with Melilli, are descended from immigrants. The sister cities bond pays homage to the great impact immigrants have had on our community, strengthens international cultural ties and understanding, and celebrates the special relationship many in Middletown share with Melilli. I also recognize and honor those of native heritage living in our community, and I recognize those whose ancestors came to our shores unwillingly. We absolutely need to recognize all aspects of our history. It is also important that we take time to recognize the wonderful aspects of our history, and celebrate the ties that unite us all as human beings. I welcome everyone in our community to these events to come together in celebration.”

The full schedule of events is detailed below. 

Friday May 16 

4:45pm Inauguration of "Casa Melilli" 

Location: Saint Sebastian Feast Stage

5:00-6:00pm Banda Comunale Città di Melilli (Melilli City Municipal Band) Concert

Location: Saint Sebastian Feast Stage

Saturday May 17 

12:00pm – 1:30pm Banda Comunale Città di Melilli (Melilli City Municipal Band) Concert

Location: Saint Sebastian Feast Stage

2:30pm – Screening of Documentary film about Sicilian-Americans living in Middletown followed by group discussion; Mayoral Remarks

Location: Russell Library Hubbard Room

Sunday May 18:

6:15pm – 7:30pm Banda Comunale Città di Melilli (Melilli City Municipal Band) Concert

Location: Saint Sebastian Feast Stage

Monday May 19

5:00pm – 5:30pm - Banda Comunale Città di Melilli (Melilli City Municipal Band) Concert

Location: Middletown Municipal Building Council Chamber (245 deKoven Drive, Middletown)

5:30 reception in lobby of Council Chamber

6:00pm – Special Meeting of the Common Council recognizing the Sister Cities agreement between Middletown, Connecticut and Melilli, Sicily

Location: Middletown Municipal Building Council Chamber