Abrazo Ceremony to inaugurate 2015 International Friendship Festival

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, J.D., Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The U.S.-Mexico border international twin cities of Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico will renew their traditional, historic “Abrazo Ceremony” at the international boundary line on Friday, March 20, 2015, at 5 P.M. at the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge No. I to inaugurate the 2015 International Friendship Festival.

Representing Eagle Pass as Mr. Amigo will be the Honorable Manuel Pete Rodrigues while the Honorable Salvador Chavarria Delgado will represent Piedras Negras, Coahuila as “Senor Amigo” at the March 20th mid-bridge ceremony between public officials, civic leaders, business leaders, and citizens of both communities.

The 2015 Abrazo Ceremony will celebrate the 53rd Anniversary of this beautiful event which was commenced in 1962 by the International Good Neighbor Councils of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila. The ceremony celebrates the social, cultural, economic, and political ties which binds these two twin sister cities and their citizens since their founding in 1849 and 1850, respectively.

Although each city pertains to a different country, Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras are synonymous as being one community with many families sharing common roots in both cities, including residences, businesses, and international trade.

Accompanying Mr. Amigo Manuel Pete Rodrigues will be Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu and City Council members, Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo and County Commissioners, and many other local public officials and civic leaders.

Likewise, accompanying Senor Amigo Salvador Chavarria will be Piedras Negras, Coahuila Mayor Fernando Puron and City Council members and many state and federal public officials and civic leaders.

The City of Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 will be closed to international traffic prior to the ceremony to allow organizers set up the stage for the traditional friendship ceremony.

The Abrazo Ceremony will be opened to the public.