Macon-Bibb County & Mâcon, France recommit to promoting world peace

Macon-Bibb County had some very special visitors this week from across the Atlantic Ocean! The Vice Mayor of our sister city, Mâcon, France, Emilie Clerc, and Chair of Macon's Twinning Committee, Agnes Pont, made the trip to celebrate the recommitment of Twinning after 50 years.

They, along with Mayor Lester Miller, held a Twinning Ceremony on Monday, October 24, at City Hall. This Ceremony was a chance for the two cities to recommit their relationship to each other. You can watch it here. They were first joined in 1972, and Executive Director of Community Affairs Dr. Henry Ficklin and Office of Small Business Affairs Director Charise Stephens represented Macon-Bibb County at a similar ceremony in Mâcon, France in July 2022. By joining together, the cities agree to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.

"We are so proud to be able to host our neighbors and show them what Macon-Bibb County is all about," said Mayor Miller. "While we may live in different parts of the world and speak different languages, we are very similar in the sense of how tight-knit our communities are."

Mayor Miller also presented Clerc and Pont with a key to City.

"Diversity strengthens our community and is important now more than ever," said Dr. Ficklin. "Culture exchanges help to make the world a better and more peaceful place."

"It has been an honor to share the story of Macon and its diverse community and expansive culture with our Sister City, and to showcase our community internationally," said Gary Wheat, Visit Macon President & CEO.

Visit Macon hosted the representatives from Mâcon, France since last Thursday, October 20. Led by Director of Destination Development Trish Whitley, that tour included: dining at some favorite downtown restaurants; holding a guided tour of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park with Tracie Revis and Seth Clark on behalf of the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative; touring our historic Capricorn Studios; attending the Central Georgia Greek Festival, Macon Beer Festival, and Arts & Jazz on Riverdale; visiting Lake Tobesofkee, and more.

Click here to see pictures from the ceremony.