Fourth Sister City! Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca, Spain SCFWC seeking committee members
FRANKLIN, TN – October 22, 2025 – Franklin officially welcomes a new Sister City, Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain, marking a significant step in fostering international cultural and educational exchange. The initiative, spearheaded by Franklin native and BGA Spanish teacher Heather Angola, has been a collaborative effort over the past two years, culminating in a unanimous vote by the Sister Cities Board to recommend the pairing.
The point of sister cities is to foster international understanding, goodwill, and peace through citizen-to-citizen diplomacy and cultural, educational, and economic exchanges between communities in different countries. By fostering these long-term relationships, cities can collaborate on community issues, share ideas, and establish mutually beneficial partnerships.
The journey began in June 2023, when Heather Angola, fresh from a successful student trip to Ciudad Rodrigo, approached Sister Cities. Her vision was to formalize a decade-long pen pal relationship between her students and those of her friend, Spanish educator Tersa Martin. This idea quickly gained traction, with key meetings held in April and June 2024 to assess the compatibility between the two communities.
“We found significant commonalities,” explained Kim Cannon, President of the Sister Cities of Franklin & Williamson County Board, and Roger Walters, a key committee member. The opportunities to support teachers and student exchanges are driving factors. Both communities are rich in history and equine culture, with numerous festivals. Both Franklin and Ciudad Rodrigo have been recognized as “best small towns,” setting a strong foundation for a meaningful partnership.
The process accelerated in October 2024 with a constructive Zoom meeting between Franklin’s Mayor Ken Moore and the Mayor and officials of Ciudad Rodrigo. Board member Jairo Estrada served as translator and liaison. This was followed by an enthusiastic letter from Ciudad Rodrigo’s Mayor Marcos Iglesias Caridad in January 2025, expressing a clear desire to advance the relationship. Franklin’s Mayor Moore reciprocated with a positive response in February, confirming the city’s commitment.
In March 2025, there was unanimous support from both sides: the Sister Cities Board in Franklin voted to support the ongoing relationship, and Ciudad Rodrigo’s City Officials formally voted in favor of twinning with Franklin after a presentation by their students.
A pivotal moment occurred in June 2025 when 30 BGA students, accompanied by Sister Cities President Kim Cannon, her husband Rich, and their Spanish-speaking daughter Amelia, embarked on a three-day visit to Ciudad Rodrigo. The group met with Mayor Caridad and other officials, exchanging gifts and touring the historic city. Sister Cites that a small Spain committee, consisting of Cannon, past SC Board Secretary, and Downtown Franklin Rotary President-elect Roger Walters, compiled a comprehensive report and presentation, which was instrumental in the Sister Cities Board’s unanimous vote in July 2025 to proceed with the recommendation.
The recommendation has since been presented to Franklin’s City Supervisor Eric Stuckey and Mayor Moore for their approval. This was presented at a BOMA work session on September 9th. The second reading took place on September 23, and the agreement was included in the consent agenda. A proclamation was written and signed by Mayor Moore and City Attorney Shauna Billingsley. With their endorsement, a committee held a virtual signing of the twinning agreement on Monday, 27 October, at 9:00 a.m. CST, 4:00 p.m. in Ciudad Rodrigo. A small reception followed. Traditional almond cake and
Spanish Tortilla (Tortilla de Patatas) was served compliments of Heather Angola
March 26, 2026, six students, accompanied by 2 teachers, from the School IES Fray Diego Tadeo will visit Franklin and be hosted by local families. These experiences are priceless and confirm the mission of Sister Cities.
An exciting opportunity for an in-person signing has emerged for next year. With Franklin set to host an exhibit in Bad Soden, Germany (Franklin’s German Sister City) during September-October 2026, several Franklin government officials planning to attend could also visit Ciudad Rodrigo for the formal twinning event.
This burgeoning partnership promises to foster educational, economic, and professional exchanges, enriching the cultural understanding and appreciation between the citizens of Franklin and Ciudad Rodrigo for generations to come. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact Heather Angola via email heather.angola@mybga.org