SEBORGA CELEBRATES SAINT BERNARD. GREAT FESTIVITIES IN THE PRINCIPALITY

The Principality of Seborga celebrated its main national day last month (20 August), on the occasion of the festival of the patron saint: Saint Bernard. For this event, H.R.H. Prince George I walked with the Knights of the Order of Saint Bernardo di Clairvax: the moment most awaited by its subjects and by many tourists.
Over two days the Principality relived once again a great moment of its history that traces its roots to the past, with historical enactments, flags throwers (sbandieratori), concerts and – of course – the most anticipated food tasting.
The program of the celebrations (sponsored by the Municipality of Seborga, the Pro Seborga Association and the Knights of Saint Bernard) was rich with religious, cultural and entertaining significance.

It all started with a procession of the statue of Saint Bernard from the parochial church of Saint Martino by the ancient church of Saint Bernardo. The statue was escorted by the Knights of Seborga and by H.R.H. Prince George I, with the musical accompaniment of the band of Saint Borghetto Nicolò.
After the procession, the Knights of Seborga offered refreshments in the public square of “Piazza dei Martiri” with food and wine tasting. Once again the main players of this event were the superb dishes cooked by the chefs of the Pro Seborga Association. These dishes were served at the tables set up in the public square while the orchestra played music for all the guests.

During the evening the music gave way to the passage of the historical procession with the folkloristic exhibition of the “sbandieratori” (flags throwers) of Marina di Ventimiglia, wearing the colours white and blue, the same ones of the Principality. The celebrations ended the day after, with a concert in the public square of Saint Martino, performed by the Chamber Orchestra of the Principality, directed by the maestro Vitaliano Gallo. The orchestra played music by Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven and Verdi. Ancient buildings and narrow streets, palms, gardens, mimosa, broom and olive trees set the stage for these unique celebrations.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TEMPLARI KNIGHTS

“Sacra Militia and the Third Millennium” was the title of an International conference that took place in April at Imperia (Liguria Region) and was organized by the Philatelic Academy and by the Concordia Association. His Royal Highness, Prince Giorgio I of Seborga was among the guest speakers with the topic: “The knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Seborga”.

SEBORGA HISTORICAL LIBRARY OFFICIALLY OPENED

On Saturday, 23 April 2005 a new organ was unveiled at the parish Church of San Martin in Seborga. For the occasion a concert was held in the church by the Seborga Chamber Orchestra conducted by Maestro Vitaliano Gallo, first bassoon of the Sanremo Symphonic Orchestra, and with the organist Andrea Verrando. After the concert another important event took place in the Principality: the inauguration of the Historical Library of Seborga, by the knight and curator Sergio Pistone. The library consists of more than 1500 precious books.

THE SEBORGA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA NOW ON THE WEB

The Chamber Orchestra of the Principality of Seborga is now on Internet. Founded by maestro Vitaliano Gallo, the orchestra was created in 1998 under the patronage of H.R.H. Prince Giorgio I. “Our aim - said the maestro - is to let the world know through our concerts about the territory, the culture and the traditions of the Principality. Its esoteric and religious tradition go back to 5000 years ago, through a Celtic , Judaic and Christian root. The Principality of Seborga is the only country in the world that has never declared war to someone and thus it was never invaded as a testimony of this message. Our orchestra always displays the flag of the Principality, as a symbol of peace and universal fraternity”. The orchestra consists of 6 to 12 musicians and benefit of the collaboration of artists of international fame. The orchestra performed in France, Japan, USA, in particular in New York for the United Nations. It has recorded a CD for the 2000 Jubilee with the title: Meditation on the Golgotha. (left: Maestro Vitaliano Gallo)

Welcome! Benvenuti!

Welcome to our first edition of THE SEBORGA TIMES: a monthly publication of the Old Principality of Seborga. Our aim is to inform about events that are taking place in the Principality and publish articles and news from and about Seborga. We hope that the readers will discover the enchanting beauty that surrounds this unique place and its ancient and illustrous history. We hope that our readers will visit us regularly and appreciate our efforts to maintain our unique identity and indipendence by supporting our traditions, our history and our dreams. The Editor