PYATIGORSK

PYATIGORSK. Pyatigorsk is located in the Commonwealth of Independent States between the Black and Caspian Seas north of the Caucasus Mountains. Known for its healing mineral waters from as many as one thousand springs, Pyatigorsk annually attracts an estimated thirty thousand people seeking relief from a variety of ailments. Famous Russians such as poet Alexander Pushkin and writer Leo Tolstoy were visitors to the healing waters.

Dubuque and Pyatigorsk share several characteristics. Pyatigorsk, like Dubuque, is a center of education. The city also boasts a polytechnical institute, pharmaceutical school, and a nursing school. Like Dubuque, Pyatigorsk has become a favorite tourist site. Civic leaders of the two communities, during meetings on March 6, 1989, expressed interest in helping each other in areas of athletics, health care, and art. DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY produced private stock labels for "Pyatigorsk Star" and "Stavropol Star" beer bottled especially for the occasion. Cultural exchanges, including one in May 1989, have continued.

In 1992 it was announced that Dubuque residents had donated over $10,000 to help supply medical assistance to their sister city. The effort was part of "Operation Provide Hope" from the United States to help residents of the area through the rest of the winter. (1)

In March 1992 Valentina Ponomarenko, a manager of a commercial bank in Pyatigorsk, came to Dubuque to study American banking practices at FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE. (2)

With Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the spring of 2022, feelings between the two countries deteriorated with ramifications in Dubuque. In July he Sister City Committee of Travel Dubuque agreed to suspend Dubuque's sister city status with Pyatigorsk. The committee was given the sole authority to end Dubuque's sister city relationship by the Dubuque City Council in 2017. On March 24th Mayor Brad Cavanaugh wrote a letter to the mayor of Pyatigorsky explaining that Dubuque would like to maintain the relationship with her sister city and urged political leaders of the Russian city to condemn Russia's invasion. Political leaders of the Russian city refused the request and replied that Dubuque should condemn the United States position. Council members then asked that steps be taken to remove signage naming the Russian city. (3)

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Source:

1. Wegher, Ann. "Sister City Aid: $10,000," Telegraph Herald, February 10, 1992, p. 1

2. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Pyatirorsk Banker in Dubuque to Learn," Telegraph Herald, March 15, 1992, p. 1. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aEyKTaVlRPYC&dat=19920315&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

3. Kruse, John, "Dubuque Council Agrees to Take Down Information Regarding Former Russian Sister City," TH Online: August 2, 2022