Ellis County and Pardubice Region, Czech Republic officials sign sister region memorandum
Earlier this year, the Ellis County Commissioners Court approved an agreement establishing a sister region memorandum between the county and the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic.
“[The action marks] a historic milestone in our county’s rich Czech heritage and strengthening the cultural, educational, and economic ties between our communities,” the county wrote on its official Facebook page.
For the memorandum’s signing, a Czech delegation recently traveled to Ellis County, with a special ceremony held Thursday, May 21, at the historic Ellis County Courthouse. Members of the commissioners court and the delegation were on hand as Ellis County Judge John Wray and Pardubice Region Gov. Martin Netolický signed the documents.
The delegation’s visit to Ellis County was coordinated to coincide with the 60th annual National Polka Festival in Ennis and its celebration of local Czech heritage. On Saturday, May 23, a public signing ceremony was held during the festival’s opening ceremonies in historic downtown Ennis.
“[The public signing provided festival] attendees the opportunity to witness this significant partnership and celebrate the enduring Czech traditions that have shaped Ellis County for generations,” the Facebook post reads. “Through decades of cultural exchanges, musical collaborations, exhibits, and visits from Czech leaders, a strong bond has developed between Ellis County and the Pardubice Region.”
The Ellis County-Pardubice Region agreement is the first such county-level, sister county relationship in the state of Texas.
“[T]his historic partnership formalizes a longstanding friendship and creates new opportunities for cultural cooperation and mutual understanding,” the Facebook post reads. “We extend our sincere appreciation to Gov. Netolický, the Czech delegation, National Polka Festival leadership, Honorary Consul Brian Vanicek, and all those whose dedication helped make this milestone possible.”
