On May 21, Ellis County celebrated the signing of a Sister Region Memorandum with the Pardubice Region (Pardubický kraj) of the Czech Republic, formalizing a relationship built over decades through culture, music, travel and shared heritage. The agreement had been approved earlier this year by the Ellis County Commissioners Court. The official signing included Pardubice Region Governor Martin Netolický and a Czech delegation visiting Ellis County. The partnership is expected to create more opportunities for cultural cooperation, educational connections and economic relationships between Ellis County and the Pardubice Region. For Ellis County, the partnership is more than a ceremonial handshake. Czech immigrants and their descendants have helped shape communities across the county for generations, and their traditions are still very much alive here today. The Pardubice Region is located in the eastern part of the Czech Republic, about an hour east of Prague by train. Region's capital, Pardubice, is known for its historic center, traditional gingerbread, and the Velká Pardubická, one of Europe’s most famous horse races. The broader region is also home to castles, chateaus, scenic countryside and cultural traditions that make it a natural partner for Ellis County’s long-standing Czech heritage.