Paul Young, mayor of Memphis, represents a new generation of American leadership: pragmatic, oriented to the future and deeply rooted in the community. Since he entered office, he supported the idea of Memphis as a city in which culture generates connection and opportunity. In July 2025, under his leadership, Memphis signed a historic twinning agreement with Porretta Terme, recognizing the Italian municipality as a European showcase for Memphis Sound. In this exclusive interview with the New Yorker, Mayor Young reflects on the shared rhythm that connects the two cities, from the universality of soul music to new possibilities in the economic, innovative and educational field. His words describe the essence of what this partnership really represents: a shared spirit of creativity, empathy and a growing panorama of opportunities between Memphis and Italy.
What led Memphis to formalize this partnership with Porretta Terme and what goals do you hope to achieve for both communities?
This agreement is more than a formal collaboration: is a celebration of the soul that we share. Memphis has always been a city where music is not only heard, but feels, and Porretta has embraced that same spirit for decades, thanks to his deep love for soul and rhythm & blues. Recognizing Porretta as a European showcase for Memphis Sound, we are honoring a long-standing cultural bridge that already unites our communities.
It’s really an extraordinary partnership. I had the opportunity to visit Porretta Terme this summer during the Soul Music Festival, which they have been organizing for over 30 years. This report was born of a mutual appreciation of culture. Music is a fundamental part of the identity of Memphis: is interwoven in the same fabric of the city. Seeing how deeply the people of Porretta feel connected to the same sounds and rhythms that defined my life in Memphis was incredibly exciting.
I think this is the beginning of a solid and lasting partnership. This connection will bring great benefits to both communities, because there is a lot of culture, creativity and inspiration that we can continue to share and learn from each other.
What role does music play – and in particular soul music – as a bridge between Memphis and Porretta Terme?
I think soul music is universal: speaks of emotions, deep feelings. Whether you’re Italian or American, whether you speak English or not, you can still hear it. When I was in Italy, I tried the same thing on the contrary. Although I do not speak Italian, I kept telling people that I could still understand everything that was expressed: in Italian culture, emotion is everywhere. You can feel affection, appreciation, respect. During meals, you felt the care and heart put into food.
And this is very similar to Memphis. Memphis is a place where you can perceive energy around you: in music, in the way people interact, in the warmth of each conversation. That sense of connection and authenticity makes both Memphis and Italy special.
Imports from Italy to Tennessee grew by 40% in 2024. Do you see in twinning an opportunity to strengthen economic ties as well as cultural links?
I think there is a direct connection between our economies. By strengthening the partnership, we naturally create more opportunities for collaboration and investment. When I was in Italy, I saw with my eyes how strengthening the links between our communities generates new business opportunities. The more these relationships grow, the more we will see companies of Memphis and Tennessee operate in Italy, and Italian companies settle in Memphis and throughout our state.
Finally, it is a question of building a strong brand and lasting relationships, so that more and more Italians know what Memphis represents today, not only for its musical or cultural history, but also for the innovation and opportunities that define the city today.
Partnerships such as this allow both parties to better know their cultural and economic ecosystems. And I really believe that by continuing to invest in this collaboration we will create even more significant opportunities for both communities.
How do you imagine the role of Memphis within a global network of cities open to collaboration with countries like Italy?
What matters most is to build a recognizable identity and lasting relationships — to help Italians and people in the world discover the true Memphis. Our musical heritage will always be central, but the city is much more than its history. Today Memphis is a hub of innovation, creativity and opportunity.
Partnerships like this offer us a platform to tell. They open new paths for cultural exchanges and economic collaborations, allowing communities to grow together and benefit from their respective forces. Continuing to cultivate these ties, we are not only honoring the past, but building a future full of possibilities for Memphis and our international partners.
How can Italian diplomatic and cultural institutions support Memphis’s international development and visibility?
It is an exhibition, presence and participation. When consulate representatives visit Memphis and come to my office, we have the opportunity to talk about what makes this city really special: our logistics, airport, Mississippi River and Interstate 40, the third longest in the United States. All these great infrastructures meet here, in the heart of the country — and that heart is Memphis.
Through these conversations I can share information that many visitors did not know. And when they return to their countries, they can identify more targeted companies and collaborations that make sense to Memphis, who align themselves with our strengths and economic landscape.
The more we directly converge, the more we identify opportunities that generate solid and meaningful connections.
In addition to music, are there sectors or initiatives – such as innovation, education, culture or design – where Memphis and Italy could collaborate more closely?
In addition to arts, culture, music and cooking — areas where Memphis already occupies a special place in the world — there are several other sectors with great potential.
One of the main is medicine. Here we have excellent hospitals, including the famous St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which has been leading the global struggle against child cancer for decades and has achieved extraordinary results.
We also have a highly growing technological and innovative sector. Memphis operates the world’s largest supercomputer dedicated to artificial intelligence, managed by xAI. Just beyond the river, in West Memphis, Google is building a new facility dedicated to AI. And about 50 miles from the centre, an important production plant for electric vehicles is under development.
We consider advanced manufacturing and technology as key engines for the future of the entire region, which we are beginning to call Digital Delta, a name that reflects our geography and our growing digital ecosystem. I think it’s an exciting area in which to build broader collaborations with Italy.
How do you hope that this partnership will affect the local communities of Memphis and what lasting legacy do you imagine?
By sharing culture and economic opportunities, we contribute to improving the quality of people’s lives. When my wife and I stayed in Porretta, it was an unforgettable experience that changed us. Being there and feeling the energy and warmth of people is something I will not forget.
This is the true sense of partnership: allow our communities to connect, learn from each other and grow together. In Memphis, my goal is that every resident lives the best quality of life possible, from everyday things — road holes, reliable services — to the deeper aspects: culture, relationships, shared experiences. In the end, these are the things that unite people and make a city flourish.
Looking forward, what concrete projects do you hope will be born of this partnership in the coming years?
We are excited to continue the collaboration with the Soul Music Festival in Porretta and hope that similar initiatives will also grow here in Memphis. We organize a great festival on the Mississippi called River Beat, one of the most lively events you can see, and we would like to invite more participation from Italy.
In addition to music and culture, we aim to expand collaborations in the medical field. As mentioned, Memphis hosts different structures of excellence and there are plans to build even larger centres. This opens the way to medical exchanges, research partnerships and other meaningful forms of collaboration.
But what is more exciting to me is the idea of creating programs for young people based on a real cultural exchange. Whether it’s through technology or travel, we can connect students to the STAX Music Academy or Soulsville Academy with classes in Italy. Imagine young people who meet virtually, who collaborate on musical projects, perhaps producing songs together.
These are the bridges we can build, not only between mayors, but between residents, teachers, artists and innovators, to give full life to the partnership. Collaborations like this remind the world that Memphis does not only create music — it creates connections that advance people and possibilities.
Article The mayor of Memphis Paul Young on the strengthening of links with Italy comes from IlNewyorkese.
