Thirty rising juniors and seniors from Greenville County Schools’ Fine Arts Center, accompanied by seven adult chaperones, embarked on a ten‑day cultural immersion in Italy from May 26 through June 4. The trip, a long‑awaited project that began two years ago, offered the students a chance to experience the art, history, and daily life of their sister city, Bergamo, and several other renowned Italian locales.
From Greenville to Bergamo: a sister‑city partnership
Bergamo and Greenville have been sister cities since 1985, linked by shared characteristics such as foothill geography, a historic textile industry, and a love of cycling. The Fine Arts Center students were the first group of young “artistic ambassadors” to travel under this partnership, providing a living example of how cultural exchange can strengthen community ties.
Highlights of the Italian itinerary
The journey began with a guided tour of Bergamo’s Città Alta, the historic Upper Town, where students walked the same cobblestone streets that inspired Renaissance masters. A stop at a local gelateria allowed them to sample Bergamo’s signature stracciatella flavor, a sweet reminder of the city’s culinary heritage.
From Bergamo the group ventured to Verona, Cremona, Florence and Milan, each city offering a distinct artistic legacy. In Cremona, the students opened the Cremona Music Festival with readings of original creative‑writing pieces, theater monologues, and vocal performances, showcasing the talent nurtured at Greenville’s Fine Arts Center.
Student reflections on art and faith
“Seeing paintings, sculptures, and architecture in the places they were originally created made them feel much more meaningful,” said rising junior visual artist Sophia Lore. She described how close observation of masterworks deepened her appreciation for technique and purpose.
Rising senior Gabriel Vargas, a theatre‑performance major, added, “I realized that some of the best memories come from just saying yes to new experiences.” The students bonded not only during tours and performances but also on bus rides and shared meals, forming friendships that will endure beyond the trip.
Looking ahead: continued sister‑city connections
Fine Arts Center director Vee Popat emphasized that the trip was more than a vacation; it was an educational mission to demonstrate how “art unites” across disciplines and cultures. Popat hopes the relationship with Bergamo will continue and that Greenville will eventually forge a similar connection with its other sister city, Kortrijk, Belgium.
As the students returned to Greenville, they brought with them fresh inspiration, confidence, and a deeper sense of global citizenship—qualities that will enrich both their classrooms and the broader community.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
