South Bend established its first sister-city relationship in 1992 with Czestochowa, Poland, and added Arzberg, Germany, in 2005 to celebrate the city's Polish and German heritage. The new relationship with Guanajuato highlights the importance of the city's growing Latino community.

"I think it really is wonderful to celebrate heritage for the Latino population here," [Stephen Luecke] said, "to say how important we believe it is in South Bend to have a diverse community and to celebrate their various traditions."

"It is a gorgeous city," he said. "It's alive, it's colorful, it's open, it's friendly. It reminds you of a European village."