Tampa and Sister City Barranquilla to Launch 60 Years of Sisterhood Celebration
Mayor Jane Castor will kickoff the official launch of the 60 Years of Sisterhood Celebration between the City of Tampa and its sister city, Barranquilla, Colombia on Sunday, September 7th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The milestone event will honor six decades of cultural exchange and friendship between Tampa, Florida, and Barranquilla, Colombia. During the event, the Mayor will make a special announcement regarding the longstanding relationship.
The celebration marks the beginning of what will be a year-long series of cultural and trade encounters in 2026, designed to showcase the history, achievements, and future opportunities of this important international partnership. Events will highlight the vibrant traditions of Barranquilla, promote bilateral trade, and strengthen ties between the business communities of both cities.
“It’s an incredible honor to celebrate 60 years of sisterhood between Tampa and Barranquilla—our city’s oldest and most vibrant international partnership,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “This milestone reflects decades of meaningful exchanges in culture, education, and commerce, and I couldn’t be more excited about the future we’re building together. I look forward to strengthening this bond even further—with a visit to Barranquilla on the horizon and a shared commitment to the next 60 years of friendship and opportunity.”
Tampa’s relationship with Barranquilla, Colombia has been in place for nearly six decades, since 1966. It is the city's oldest Sister City. Sister Cities International, which was founded back in 1956, started with simple, yet powerful ideas:
To bring people from different cultures together
To help us understand one another better
And ultimately to promote peace
“This milestone isn’t just a celebration of the past—it’s a springboard for future collaboration in culture, commerce, and diplomacy,” said Alfred Goldberg, President of Tampa Sister Cities. “We’re committed to honoring 60 years of partnership while laying the groundwork for an equally impactful future.”
Media representatives will have the opportunity to interview Mayor Castor and delegates from Barranquilla to capture the significance of Tampa’s international connections and learn more about the upcoming initiatives planned for 2026.