The language was unfamiliar to most of those participating in the Wednesday morning international Zoom meeting, but the words “Rufus Thomas” needed no translation. Resounding briefly within a flow of enthusiastic Italian, the name “Rufus Thomas” — and those of other classic soul singers, including “Otis Redding” and “Solomon Burke” — earned smiles from Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, even if most of the other words in the sentences were mysterious.

The friendly tenor of the meeting was unmistakable, however, as Memphis and Shelby County formally affirmed their “sister city” relationship with a longtime cultural ally, Porretta Terme, a village that since 1988 has hosted an annual festival dedicated to the sounds of Memphis, the Mississippi Delta and other soul/blues crucibles, with an emphasis on Stax Records (performers at the festival have included Carla Thomas, Isaac Hayes and Booker T. & the MG's).