14/15 September 2013. The visit of the delegation of the Foundation Metropoli to the city of Cefalu

On September the 14th the delegation of the Foundation Metropoli visited the city of Cefalu ( Sicily). The first item on the agenda was a visit to the Cathedral of Cefalu, which was built by the Byzantines in the twelfth century on the order of King of Sicily Roger the Second. The Cathedral, which combines both the traditions of the Byzantine Empire and the features of Norman architecture, among other houses the masterpieces of Byzantine mosaics of Jesus Pantocrator, the Virgin Mary and the twelve Apostles. After the visit to the Cathedral the official meeting between the General Consul of the Russian Federation in Calabria and Sicily, Mr. Vladimir Korotov, the mayor of the city of Cefalu Mr. Rosario Lapunzina, city officials and the delegation of the Foundation Metropoli took place.

The issues of economic and cultural cooperation mutually beneficial to the cities of Italy and Russia within the framework of the Association ACEB has been discussed. It was proposed to hold a meeting between the mayors of the cities of Sicily members of the association ACEB in Cefalu on November 9 to develop the draft of the unique program of ACEB for 2014-2016. The program of the meeting will be realized jointly with the officials of the city of Cefalu and the Foundation Metropoli. In honor of the meeting of mayors of Sicily in Cefalu on November the 9th, the parties agreed to open a photo exhibition of Byzantine cities of Russia, the room for the exhibition will be provided by the city.

During the meeting with the leaders of the city the participation of the city of Cefalu in tourism fair in Russia was also discussed. The parties have agreed to prepare a draft for the participation of all the Sicilian cities ACEB in the tourist fair to be discussed during the meeting between the mayors of Sicily on November the 9th.

At the invitation of the Mayor of the city of Cefalu, the General Consul of the Russian Federation in Calabria and Sicily, Mr. Vladimir Korotov, and the delegation of the Foundation participated in the inauguration of the exhibition of artists and sculptors of the city of Cefalu. The official part of the program was completed with the solemn ceremony of signing of the "Red Book" of the city of Cefalu. The Mayor of Cefalu has promised to donate a copy of the "Red Book" to the Foundation Metropoli, where over the signature of the guests of honor from the sixteenth century , there is now also a written of the Foundation Metropoli.

The evening ended with a dinner in the main square of the city, accompanied by the traditional Sicilian show and dances, in which was members of the delegation of the Foundation participated.

The next day, as part of the cultural program the delegation of the Foundation visited the fortress of the Byzantine city of Cefalu.