SOUTH COUNTY DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
San Juan Capistrano’s Three Sister Cities by Beverly Blake and Tom Scott ost of those who live in San Juan Capistrano are aware that Capestrano, Italy is our official sister city. Located in the beautiful Abruzzo “The Green Region of Europe” with a population of only 950 it has an historic and artistic heritage. Saint Giovanni da Capistrano (John of Capistrano) an Italian friar, theologian and inquisitor was born there in 1386. Several locals have traveled to see this City of Art and wax poetic about its beauty.
M
What many do not know is that we actually have two other Sister Cities! The second is Goya, Argentina which is the home to our swallows for the 6 months that they are not here. The city of Goya originated in 1771 and the city’s name comes from the original landowner’s wife’s nickname, Doña Goya. Tradition holds that this lady made exquisite cheeses, with the
milk of cows fed with reedbeds and coconuts. Every November 24 thousands of migratory swallows arrive in Goya, coming from San Juan Capistrano, California, from where they leave on October 23 and cross around 11,000 kilometres following the Pacific coast. When arriving in Goya, the swallows (golondrinas) are received with a series of festivals at the Monument to the swallows. The return to Capistrano of the first swallows begins around February 18, to arrive in California on March 19 every year. This particular event encouraged the mayors of Goya and San Juan Capistrano to sign a declaration of sisterhood between the two cities in 1985. Our Third Sister is Majorca, Spain which is the birthplace of Junipero Serra, the founder of the first nine of our 21 California Missions. Majorca is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea and the island has over 4 million almond and olive trees. Over 2,400 restaurants on the island of Majorca feature seafood often presented as Tapas. Among other food items that are Majorcan are sobrassada, arros brut (saffron rice cooked with chicken, pork and vegetables), and the sweet pastry ensaïmada.
For the 5th year Camino Real Playhouse celebrates these Three Sister Cities with food and wine from each region, along with music, dancing exhibitions and a silent auction. This year’s event is on May 16th at 6PM. Tickets are $30.00 on line at www.caminorealplayhouse.org. Go to the special events page to purchase your tickets.
MAY 2015
58 SOUTH COUNTY MAGAZINE