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July 14, 2022 | From City of New Orleans

MAYOR CANTRELL TRAVELS TO ANTIBES JUAN-LES-PINS, FRANCE TO SIGN SISTER CITY AGREEMENT

NEW ORLEANS – Mayor LaToya Cantrell this week traveled to Antibes Juan-les-Pins, France to participate in the official signing ceremony, finalizing the Sister City agreement between the two cities. Mayor Cantrell will sign the formal agreement with Mayor Jean Leonetti of Antibes Juan-les-Pins today, July 14, as well as take part in the 61st annual International Jazz à Juan Festival and the French National Day celebrations throughout the city.

“This trip to Antibes Juan-les-Pins is an important part of a long-standing friendship between our two cities, one that is built on a shared appreciation for jazz – as evidenced by their annual International Jazz Festival,” said Mayor Cantrell. “Since 1994, when New Orleans and Antibes signed a twinning agreement between their city and the French Quarter, we’ve recognized this shared affinity for New Orleans culture. With this new Sister City agreement, Mayor Leonetti and I look forward to increased possibilities for cultural, educational and economic exchanges between us.”

Famed New Orleans jazz musician Sidney Bechet, who worked with some of New Orleans’ most influential culture bearers like Louis Armstrong, married and settled in Antibes in 1951. Bechet lived there during the origins of the International Jazz à Juan Festival, which grew into a celebration of jazz music and has featured both local and New Orleans-based bands over the years.

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