Bethlehem has a new sister city. On Sep. 17, Patillas, Puerto Rico, joined Tondabayashi, Japan, Schwabisch Gmund, Germany, Corfu, Greece, Murska Sobota, Slovenia, and Foiano di val Fortore, Italy at a formal signing ceremony in city hall. Patillas becomes the sixth sister city.

“It’s a special day for Bethlehem,” said Mayor J. William Reynolds. “There is a history of generation after generation of families coming from Patillas to our city,” he added.

Reynolds noted that the sister city status had been evolving through mutual effort over many years. A formal invitation for sister city status was extended from Reynolds to Patillas Mayor Maritza Sanchez Neris in September 2023 and she accepted, according to Reynolds.

Retired steelworker and community leader Guillermo Lopez spoke about what it meant to him for this formal relationship to be realized. “There’s a rush of feelings going through me when I think of my parents, “ said Lopez. He noted that their second floor was the initial housing for 14 families when they arrived from Patillas, found jobs and moved out on their own.

“It’s a little bit of history for my family,” said Bethlehem firefighter Lou Jiminez. “My family came in the 1950s and there’s a deep history between the two cities and I’m glad it has been recognized,” he added.

City Councilwoman Rachel Leon said, “These things are so impactful. “They promote tourism in cities that we have a connection with and it’s a celebration for everyone,” she said.

“I’ve lived for 38 years on Bethlehem’s Southside,” said resident Johnny Cruz. “I’m honored that they’ve recognized our contributions to Bethlehem by doing this.”

The formal signing took place inside Town Hall in a ceremony emceed by the city’s director of equity and inclusion Janine Santoro. The Puerto Rican national anthem, “La Borinquena” was performed by Talenta Locale, after which the formal documents were signed by Mayor Reynolds and Daly Reyes, who was representing Patillas Mayor Maritza Sanchez Neris. “We’re sure that this agreement will benefit both cities,” said Reyes. Gifts were then exchanged between Reynolds and Reyes.

The ceremony then moved to Payrow Plaza, where the Puerto Rican and Patillas City flags were raised.

Bethlehem’s Puerto Rican population is 30 percent of the city’s total population, with many from Patillas migrating to the city starting in the 1940s and 1950s. Many found work in the Bethlehem Steel plant.