HRH PRINCE GIORGIO WILL DELAY HIS RETIREMENT

HRH Prince Giorgio I made his first official appearance, since announcing his retirement last January, at the celebrations for the Solidarity Without Borders Day, held in Seborga last Sunday, 2 April.
In receiving the nomination of “Messenger of Peace in the World” by the President of the Ligurian branch of UNICEF, the Prince took the opportunity to address his subjects by assuring them that he is still in charge and announcing his intention to delay his retirement.
“I will remain for a few months, until they elect a new prince”, announced the Prince, and continued: “I am tired, and I am looking forward to retiring. But I will not leave the Principality until the Seborgans elect my successor”.
In the crowded San Martino Square, after receiving the nomination, the Prince also spoke strongly against the alleged princess Kathrin Hohenstaufen who – in recent months – with a series of absurd proclaims has declared herself the “heir” of the Principality and even dismissed Prince Giorgio! At first she was invited but later “forgotten” by the organisers of the event. “She is not a princess. It’s all a stunt” thundered the Prince.

The Seborgans welcomed the words of Prince Giorgio and gave the opportunity to Flavio Gorni of the “Seborga nel Mondo Association” to reply on their behalf: “Our only Prince is Giorgio I that has done a lot for us and for our cause”.

(SeborgaPress)

Seborga will celebrate Solidarity Without Borders Day

The “SEBORGA NEL MONDO – I CARE” Association and UNICEF (The United Nations Children’s Fund) will celebrate the Solidarity Without Borders Day on Sunday 2 April in Seborga with a series of events, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

The program includes a photo presentation along the streets of Seborga illustrating the history and activities of UNICEF, a video presentation of the humanitarian mission conducted last year in Moldavia by the Seborga nel Mondo – I Care Association and the official awarding of “Messengers of Peace in the World” to all those involved in last year’s charitable mission to Moldavia.

Among the VIP invited are Prince Filiberto of Savoy, Princess and Prince Alduino Ventimiglia Lascaris. Also present at the event will be H.R.H. Prince Giorgio I and the Mayor of Seborga, Franco Fogliarini.

Seborgans called to choose new Mayor

On the 28 May the Seborgans will have to vote and elect the new Mayor. At the moment there are two competing lists for these administrative elections, one lead by the current Mayor Franco Fogliarini and the second lead by his cousin Ermes Fogliarino, currently councillor for the opposition. According to some indiscretions Ermes Fogliarino is said to be more in favour of Prince Giorgio than the current Mayor and given the recent squabble between the Council and the Palace, it will be interesting to see how these two contenders will perform at the coming elections.

Seborga products on display in the "wine town" of Canelli

On Saturday 25 February the Regional Wine Cellar of Canelli (Asti) hosted a delegation from the Principality of Seborga. The aim of the visit was to promote the products and the culinary traditions of Seborga. For the occasion the organizers staged a display of products and food delicacies from the Principality and a special dinner cooked by Seborgan chefs. The city of Canelli, in the province of Asti in Piedmont, is one of the world capitals of quality wines: 580 wines estates are located in the territory of the munincipality and the vineyards cover a surface of 1500 hectares with an average annual production of 10.000.000 bottles. The grape varieties grown are mainly Moscato, Barbera, Dolcetto, Cortese and Chardonnay. The most important wines produced by the wineries of Canelli are Asti spumante (sparkling wine) and Moscato d’Asti (still wine), both wines are obtained from Moscato grapes.

Mambrin patron of the Easter painting competition

Luigi Mambrin will be responsible for organizing the next painting competition that will be held during the Easter holiday in the Principality. As for the previous editions it is expected that the event will be a success and will attract the participation of numerous artists and many people will attend this most anticipated event.

High cost of severe weather

The cost of the damage caused by last December’s heavy snow falls in the Liguria Region amounts of 23 million of euro. The regional authority has estimated and officially notified the amount of the damage to the Italian Department of Agriculture that will now be able to accept and process the claims from the many flowers growers and farmers that suffered from the severe weather. The Principality of Seborga was also affected by heavy snow falls and the Emergency Service had to intervene several times to clear roads and streets from the snow and ice.

Sport: Cycling

Marco Panigata, 65 years old, from Seborga was the winner of the Cycling Italian Championship of Indoor Cycling held recently in the town of Forli. He came first in the amateur category.

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The first test for the cycling competition of the “Mountain Challenge 2006” from Bordighera to Seborga was won by Marco Bruna for the Junior/Senior Category and by Mauro Monteleone for the Veteran Category. More than 60 competitors took part at this first test that was battered by bad weather.

A University in Seborga? Not really...

A University in the Ancient Principality di Seborga? Not really, it’s just a rented wine cellar. Various websites in English and also in other foreign languages publicize in fact the presence of a "University" in Seborga: a place where there is not even a high school!
The Italian Police have received a report on this matter and want to find out more about it.
One alarming aspect of this case is one of the places of this imaginary place of learning: Via Miranda 3, Seborga. At this address there is a wine cellar belonging to Osvaldo Romagna, a city council member, who has categorically excluded any presence of a faculty or office whatsoever.
"It’s a very small basement – declares the owner - which I let some time ago to two foreigners, French and – he seemed to me – Uruguayan. They had come to Seborga with the idea of promoting our tourism overseas. It is a fact that, after not having paid the rent for several months, they disappeared from the scene. I don’t know anything about this matter”.
However, the question remains why this address in Seborga appears on the internet as the location of several international organizations that provide courses and degrees on line.
One example is the alleged “Pebble Hills University – SBC Antico Principato di Seborga” that according to its web site is located or has its contact location at the “SBC Building, Via Miranda 3, Suite 303 Seborga.
According to other websites, there are at least thirteen so called “Universities” in Seborga, all accommodated in the same address! There is also a telephone and fax number with an answering machine. According to these websites there are also a bank and a real estate agency in Seborga, all at the same address.
It’s not difficult to find more disturbing examples. If you type in to the Google search engine the words "University" and "Seborga", you may find many other similar sites. On one website, always in English, there are seminars of alternative medicine starting from the 10 of April 2006.
If you follow the indications for registration you can find the related fees to these courses.
If you continue to search you will find that in Seborga there are also the offices of the West Coast University (WCU) “… to serve the students from European and other countries…”
In Piazza dei Martiri, according to others websites, you can find the Hardwood University Seborga or the Keller International University of Seborga that offer courses in design, music and information technology. Now that the Italian Police have been informed of this matter with a detailed report that would indicate acts of fraud via internet, they may soon start an investigation. (SeborgaPress & La Stampa)

H.R.H. PRINCE GEORGE I HAS ANNOUNCED HIS ABDICATION

H.R.H. Prince George I, at 70 years of age and after 43 years of uninterrupted reign, has announced his abdication. It will be the task of the population of the small Principality to name its successor, by election and conducted in complete autonomy, as it happened in 1963 when the Prince was crowned for life with a plebiscite (from the 362 citizens).
In the sixty days of "vacant post" the eight ministers will continue to govern, together with the 24 Priori that form the Parliament.
The Prince's decision is irrevocable and was announced during a function in occasion of the Festivity of Saint Sebastian (20 January). The official explanation of this decision is because "there is need for renewal and the throne needs of new energy".
But behind the official explanation of this surprising event is a clash with the Mayor of Seborga, Franco Fogliarini, accused by the Prince of “not respecting the history of Seborga”.

The quarrel is in regard to the project of upgrading the area in front the ancient Cistercians Church of Saint Bernardo, a precious monument of 1258, than one legend says has guarded one sacred relic. The planners want to put modern paving around the Church while H.R.H. George I is of the opinion that the area should respect and reflect the architecture and the age of the place when - as the English historians wrote - "Seborga became the first constitutional monarchy of the world ".
"It is my strong wish to defend and preserve our history and our traditions, but, in my capacity as Prince, I cannot start a "war" with the Italian authority represented here by the Mayor", says George I. Some people in Seborga believe that this action from the Prince is just a provocation, an expedient to attract the attention of the public on this matter of grave concern for the Prince.

The question now is if the future successor will be able to continue to maintain the unique characteristics of the place and fulfil the plans of its predecessor. One thing is sure: George I has put Seborga on the world map and raised attention from all over the world. Despite there are being no hotels in Seborga, buses of tourists come everyday to Seborga, from all Europe, keeping all the local restaurants busy.
The origin of Seborga goes back to Centuries. Born as Castrum Sepulcri, Seborga was considered a sacred place for the Catars and still today has maintained a rebellious spirit. Later it become a feud of Conti di Ventimiglia and was consecrated in 1079, as Principality of the Sacred Roman Empire. In 1118 it was transformed in state Cistercians and it remained so until 1729 when it was purchased from Vittorio Amedeo. Many experts and historians from all Europe have been consulted about the validity of the status of the Principality.
H.R.H. George I never tires of repeating and declaring that "the Principato has never been entered as part of the Reign of Italy and – therefore - of the Italian Republic ", and his declaration has the support of many historians and the Catholic Church.
The German historian Wolfgang Schippke wrote in his book "The Mountain Roads of the Ligurian Coast" (Strade di montagna della costa ligure): "Benito Mussolini, in a document dated 1934 recently found in the Berlin archives, declared that "for sure the Principato di Seborga does not belong to Italy" ".
Meanwhile, since 1963 the Principality mints its currency, issuess stamps, number plates for the cars of its residents, guards its borders and maintains regular diplomatic relations with 45 States, including Europe.
The Seborga Times will keep you posted for new developments on the matter.

Food Trek: fresh porcini mushrooms...

Seborga, a hilltop village closer to Nice than to Genoa on Italy’s Ligurian coast, has attracted tourists since the 1960s by billing itself as Italy’s oldest independent principality. By capitalizing on a paperwork error and declaring himself King Giorgio I, a local flower grower managed to put Seborga and its products on the map. It turns out that Seborga was never officially included on the list of principalities in the 1861 Act of Unification of Italy.

Today tour buses and families head up the hill for a taste of folklore, lunch and shopping. Regardless of its attempts to market itself as an independent state, Italian law prevails in Seborga and the euro is accepted everywhere. We cautiously approach the village, driving around the ancient walls and rounding several hairpin turns along the way. We expect a border crossing and are disappointed when we don't have to show our passports.
“Come in come in, I’ll have a table ready for you at 12:30,” the man gestured towards the back of the restaurant as we stood reading the menu. Seeing that the daily special was fresh porcini mushrooms, we nodded enthusiastically and decided to tour the village before lunch. The sights are easily covered in 45 minutes, but if you stop and talk to the locals you should plan on spending 1 to 2 hours.
Make sure to stop and visit 85 year old Renata Leone in her shop, U Cuntadin, where she sells pestos, marinated peppers, olives and many other preserved vegetables from her garden. The tiny cave-like space is decorated in blue and white, Seborga’s colors, and covered with displays of old garden tools and photos of Renata with her family. My Italian is not so good, but fortunately Renata speaks French having worked in France before the war (World War II). She tells me about the busier tourist season in Summer and Spring and that her family was one of the first to sell products made in Seborga. I leave with some pesto and promise to return soon.
I stop for more food souvenirs at Ruppe Mini Market, also known as Chez Josy, down by the church and stock up on various almond cookies; these pasta alla mandorla are made in Seborga and even the label is handwritten. The official Seborga label on the bag contains information in English about the town and a sticker with the blue and white coat of arms adorns the front, a blue ribbon holds it all together. The packaging in this town is very well coordinated; all the labels in the shops are printed in white and blue and carry the official Seborga coat of arms. I am beginning to suspect that Giorgio (may I call a King by his first name?) actually worked as a marketing executive in a previous life.

Before lunch I had time for one more stop: Il Cavaliere, a shop selling everything related to medieval knights: suits of armor, knives, swords, mace, you name it. Before Seborga became a tourist destination, it was a Principality of the Holy Roman Empire and therefore heavily guarded. In 1079 it became the first cistercian state and it was where in 1118 the first 9 templars were ordained. But, that's really ancient history.
We were having lunch at Il Principe, one of three restaurants in Seborga. The owner, Mr. Ferrari, is known not for cars but for being Seborga’s foreign minister. Like most residents in this village, he speaks fluent French and is a gracious host. We are seated at a table on the covered back terrace where we can touch the fig trees if we reach out far enough. We dine under a portrait of King Giorgio and with a view of the Mediterranean a few miles away. Porcini mushroom tagliatelle and veal with sautéed porcinis satisfy our craving for the local delicacy. The food is simple, not extraordinary, but the setting and the characters in this village are out of this world. Other dining options in Seborga include Hosteria del Coniglio and Taverna Templare, a cheaper eatery on the main square.

If you go:

Il Principe: Piazza Martini Patrioti, 6 Seborga 18012 (IM) Principato di Seborga Tel/Fax: +39 0184 223570.

U Cuntadin: Via Maccario, Seborga 18012 (IM) Principato di Seborga.

(Source: Food Trek http://foodtrek.blogspot.com)

The return of the Knights of Seborga

It was the year of our Lord 1186 when, in the stronghold of Seborga, the centre of the said priorate, by the decree of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle (Clairvaux), the povera milizia di Cristo (the poor militia of Christ) came into being, to protect the territories of the priorate, as well as the arrival and departure point for the crusades in the Terrasanta (the Holy Land).

In 1363, after several tragic events for the old militia of Christ, Prince Abbot of Seborga Pons Lance decided to reform the force by founding the “Venerabilis Equester Ordo Principatus Sancti Sepulchri”, from which the knights travelled far and wide through Europe and the Middle East, always as defenders of the priorate (the principality) of Seborga and the Christian faith.

With the arrival of the 19th century the militia was reduced to a few units surviving until the conflict of World War II.

H.R.H. Giorgio I° came to the throne in 1962, by popular consent, and since that time pledged that one day he would re-institute the knights of the “Venerabilis Equester Ordo Principatus Sancti Sepulchri”. The many engagements that followed his mandate forced Prince Giorgio I° to delay the plan until the year 2000 when the first Priorate was formed. From that time until today 6 new Priorates have been established: one in France and five in Italy, but not until recently in Seborga.

Following a meeting one day between the Prince and the knights of the E.N.G.E.A. (Ente Nazionale Guide Equestri Ambientali) a series of developments lead to the opening of a representative office in Seborga of E.N.G.E.A. and subsequently the idea of establishing a Priorate in Seborga.

The proposal was received with great enthusiasm by both parties and it was decided to organize a date to carry out the investiture.

On the 9 October 2005 at 16,30, H.R.H. Giorgio I°, accompanied by the French and Roman prior, received the 10 knights of the E.N.G.E.A. in the old public square of San Martin and in the Church of San Martin.

The knights were dressed in the typical habit (saio) to receive the blessing and then the white mantle with the sword to make an oath of loyalty and reverence towards the Sacred Principality of Seborga. It was a very significant, solemn and moving ceremony.

The knights invested were: Prior Vinati Matteo from Brescia; Vice-Prior Magnetto Attilio from Seborga; Master of Arms Testarella Mauro from San Vero Milis (Or); Sir Peli Leonardo from Brescia; Sir Gianfranco Guerra from Bergamo; Sir Paris Marcello from Rome; Sir Del Vecchio Augusto from Milan; Sir Ivaldi Cesare from Asti; Sir De Michelis Piero Michele from VillaNova Solara (Cn); Sir Musso Lorenzo from Seborga; chaplain of the priory, Don Marco Muraglia.

Soon after the ceremony the knights, the godfathers, the chaplain, the priors and the Great Prior met for the first assembly with a full program of tasks, collaborations, projects and assistance for the needy and humanitarian missions in disadvantaged lands.

These knights of the Principality, through the establishment of the magioni, will carry their creed and faith in all the Regions, Provinces and towns of Italy and in other countries where the E.N.G.E.A. and its associates are present.

Sincere wishes to all and keep up the good work. Adina Pinzi

For more information write to: cavalieriss@sitogea.net or visit: www.sitogea.net

Awarded the winners of the first literary competition

A function was held in Seborga on 11th November to award the winners of the first literary competition held by the Historical Library of Seborga and sponsored by the Seborga Munincipality and by the Principality. Among the public at the event, were present H.R.H. Prince Giorgio I, the Mayor of Seborga Mr Franco Fogliarini and several local authorities. All the winners of the competition received a commemorative inscription and a parchment.

Given the success of the first edition, a similar competition will be held next year and the guidelines of how to participate will be published in this magazine in due time.

Recently a new section was added to the library collections: an historical numismatic section of coins from the Genoa and Savona Mints and several commemorative medallions of particular historical value.

Other news...

The Seborga Ensemble will perform next Thursday, 15th December with a repertoire of Christmas carols and traditional songs as part of a promotional program organized and held by the Vineyard estate Cantina Sociale del Dolcetto di Clavesana.

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Next year on 14th May, a month after the Italian political elections, several munincipalities of the Liguria Region will have to hold elections for the renewal of their local councils; among them the munincipality of Seborga.

To all its readers,
the SeborgaPress
wishes a safe
and peaceful
Christmas
and a happy
and prosperous
New Year!

FIRST LITERARY COMPETITION OF THE HISTORICAL LIBRARY

This coming Friday, 11 November, starting at 15:00 at the “Sala Polivalente” of Seborga three authors will receive awards in the inaugural Literary Competition organized by the Historical Library of Seborga.
The competition comprised of edited and original scripts in Italian or French regarding Nations, personalities, buildings, documents, artistic features and historical events of any country in the world.
The works were selected and judged by a jury supervised by the Mayor of Seborga: Mr Franco Fogliarini. Here are the titles and names of the winners:

“The influences of the French culture in the Gran Duchy of Tuscany 1737-1790” by V. Massai;

“Sacred articles embroidered and painted at Santa Lucia del Mela” (a locality in Sicily);

“Trails of pilgrimages for the Archangel Michael in Campania, between the middle ages and the modern era” by C. Cerase.

The Historical Library of Seborga was inaugurated on the 23 April 2005 and initiate by Mr Giorgio Pistone.
The Municipality of Seborga donated the premises (a small room) and Mr Pistone donated the entire collection that comprises two thousand books, six hundred magazines and summaries, all of an historical nature.
Since the opening, the Library has been visited by scholars and people of all types and age: from an 11 year old girl of Moroccan origin to a lady of 92 years.
Many researchers come to visit the Library from the nearby towns. In particular, one student is from Oslo (Norway) who is studying the toponymy of the nearby town of Vallebona.
In the library are also kept thousand of photocopies and original documents of the XIV-XX centuries, regarding the Principality of Seborga.
All this material was recovered by Pistone from archives in Ventimiglia, Nice, Turin, the Vatican, Genoa and Vienna, in Germany, in Belgium and in Spain.
Giorgio Pistone has work for 53 years as a land surveyor and technical consultant for tribunals and Courts of Appeal. He has published 29 volumes of subjects related to his profession.
He has also written historical books related to the city of Sanremo and the Principality of Seborga. Lately he has also composed poems and theatrical plays in the local dialect.
The Historical Library of Seborga is open to the public Mondays from 15:30 to 17:30. All are welcome.

DIARY OF A HUMANITARIAN TRIP TO MOLDOVA

The following is an extract of a translated article published in Italian in the “Gazzetta di Seborga nel Mondo” and written by the newly elected President of the “Seborga Nel Mondo Association”: Elisanna Capocaccia Lippi. We decided to publish it here and shared with you because this article is a vivid account of the many aspects that characterized this mission to Moldavia and a good insight into what the people involved in this project went through. As you will discover, this will not be the last trip to Moldavia. There is a wish – despite the difficulties encountered – to return and do a few things. According to Flavio Gorni from the Protezione Civile of Seborga and Vallebona (the Seborga and Vallebona Emergency Services) there is also a plan for next year to visit two places: one in April to Transnistria and the second one to Paraguay at the end of August. For more information, visit the following website (available only in Italian): http://seborga.blogspot.com

25 August 2005: from a small and picturesque village of the Liguria Riviera, a group of volunteers of the Emergency Services united under the name “Seborga nel Mondo (Seborga in the World, a non profit association) starts a humanitarian journey with the destination Chisinau.
This group is made up of people from regions such as Liguria, Piedmont, Valle d'Aosta, from Rome and my self, from Lombardy. Its 23:00 and the column of cars, vans and a truck start to move from the main public square of the Principality of Seborga crowded with people wanting to meet us and farewell us.
The local authorities are there and the Bishop of Ventimiglia too with his blessing for us. And so we go through the freeway illuminated by the beacons of our lights… via Tortona, Brescia, Verona, and then a short stop and up again towards Udine, Tarvisio, Austria...
More stops on the way for change the drivers have some breakfast with coffee made from home, lunches made of slices of breads with tomato, a little bit of salt and olive oil, all rigorously carried from home.
And up on the road again that leads us to Chisinau, but we must cross Austria, Hungary and Romania first! And while we are travelling we are full of enthusiasm, chatting along and wanting to exchange ideas and expectations about the mission and what may lay ahead for us.
We talk about our lives, the ups and downs, our hopes… we start to get to know each other better and lay the ground for a deep, solid and beautiful friendship that I hope will last forever.
And in the meantime the landscapes are passing by and changing in front of us: from the green and rich slopes of Austria, to the well kept Hungary and everything is going well.
Finally we reach the border of Romania! First signs of something wrong… the stop is long, too long and wearing. We try to occupy ourselves by having something to eat, by making some coffee but we talk less. It is our eyes that speak on our behalf while we look discreetly at our friends frantically dealing with the customs police. All our papers are in order: permits, authorisations, forms from the Red Cross and UNICEF and finally we can pass.
We feel something weighing heavily upon us, we feel apprehensive but at the same time hopeful, but this stop is bothering us. But we are travelling now and crossing Romania with cheerful spirits with songs and laughs to the next border. Here the truck full of humanitarian aid, clothing for men, women and children and other material is stopped. Hours of negotiations, of frantic phone calls, of begging, of waving documents are taking place. Nothing seems to help.
The truck that carries only aid donated by many cheerful hearts from Seborga is halted. It cannot pass. It’s night. We decide to go ahead with the rest of the convoy. We will try to resolve the problem tomorrow. Sadness and helplessness overcomes us and with heavy hearts we approach the Moldavia border. More bureaucracy… endless bureaucracy is awaiting us. They don’t even help us to fill in the visa forms that each of us has to pay from our own pocket.
After a couple of hours we cross the border. We travel the last leg of our journey that will take us to Chisinau: a shabby road, full of holes and dogs corpses crushed by cars.
Dogs that crowds the countryside and the cities of Moldavia, abandoned and stray dogs, ideal for spreading disease! Finally we see the lights of Chisinau, one stop in a trattoria for a frugal dinner and on the move again towards the association that will accommodate us all.
A cold shower (and for the next 6 days) and then everyone goes to sleep in their sleeping bags. No one has the courage to admit it but we have fearful of tomorrow, for what will happen to our truck full of stuff seized at the border. Will we get it back? Will they steal the goods? Will they want money? It’s morning now. Four of us will go to the border, the rest will remain here to get ready for the mission, to do training, to look for wholesalers and buy material that we need.
More problems… Between lies, indirect threats and excuses from those who are supposed to be interpreters and institutions, we become lighter and poorer!! But we begin to raise our heads and start to say “no” or "after" to try to buy time. There is no doubt that we are in a corrupt country but we are not so naive!!!
To cut it short: the truck arrives after paying 910 euro and leaving 10 tons of goods, plus 300 euro for being granted some cold water for the showers and a shelter to sleep in our sleeping bags... They still want more money and goods but “we will bring them in the next trip...” He who deceives is himself deceived!
If you think that – after all - we were lucky, listen to this: we wanted to inspect an orphanage that was reported to us with big problems in Transnistria (a Moldova region self proclaimed independent in 1990 but not recognized by other states).
At the border we were robbed by the customs officers of 200 Euro with the threat that if we did not pay, they would have to put us in jail for two years for transporting suspicious equipment!!!! In order to maintain contact with the convoy at the traffic lights and crossings we were equipped with portable radio transmitters with a maximum capacity of 5 km radius. The same types used by kids to play. After we pay and see some smiling faces in return, we get back our portable radios and are wished a good trip.
However, despite all these depressing episodes, all the rest went well. The population that lives their poverty with dignity is in need of everything. Just a visit to the market and you discover that what they sell in plenty of supply is misery!
Someone sells one of his two eggs or one litre of the one and a half litre of milk to be able to buy some socks for his kid or to buy one loaf of bread. The earth itself is black, empty, untilled and seems to cry of desperation! There are no usual agricultural tools here. To cut the grass they use a scythe hook. Every morning the women take their cows to graze the grass in meadows 3 or 4 km away...
In the cities groups of stray dogs roam in search of crumbs that will never fall from those who have not bread to eat! However, we carried out the entire programs that we planned and regained the time lost. We managed to hand out everything and buy locally to then distribute towels, underwear, stockings, antiseptics, detergents, rice, pasta, flour, tins of tuna and meat.
Nothing special for such poverty but the smiles, the poetry recited for us, the eyes full of appreciation made us feel "great"! And this thanks to all of those that have helped us… You are the providers of this beautiful gesture that we have only carried out.
We came home with beautiful memories; beautiful evenings spent together among the local people (all documented by our famous photographer and photo reporter, both volunteers). I hope that they will make a photo album and a CD to sell and finance other projects.
We have plans to renovate an orphanage and build proper bathrooms for another orphanage; therefore we need the help of everybody! Even the 50 cents from a child that renounces his snack could help!
This precious money will go to a less fortunate child that with his little nose resting on a dirty and broken window frame is dreaming of a cuddle, a friendly hand, a pair of socks in order to protect himself from the cold! We can all make a difference for these and other less fortunate ones!
To those who are planning to visit the Liguria Region, I would like to say this: come to visit the Principality of Seborga. You will get to know and meet GEORGE I, a charismatic and altruistic person, beyond every expectation. You may also have the chance to see his knights in their white uniforms. Come and have lunch or dinner in one of the three restaurants of the Principality. Buy some Luigini (the local currency) and some stamps.
And when summer comes, take part in the parties and festivals held in the public square of Seborga. The local Pro-loco association will direct 10% of the revenue to us from these events. You will do well and at the same time have fun between a tango and a waltz!
To conclude I must thank all the Seborgans, from the first (Prince Giorgio I) to the last. Thank you for all the volunteers that also gave me the honour of electing me as their president and have given me the nick name of “mamma”.
Thank you to the people of Seborga who have accepted me like one of them. I want to thank you Graziella who, like a sister, has made her house available to me.
A big hug from my heart and with God’s help, for any need, I will be among you and won’t disappoint you. Thank you for those that have helped us and will help us again. Together we will make progress.
Elisanna Capocaccia Lippi
(President of Seborga nel Mondo Association)

OTHER NEWS...

Seborga is one of thirteen of the sixteen councils belonging to the Intermelia Mountain Community that has joined together for recycling and waste management. The contract for the work has been assigned to Aimeri Ambiente sr Ltd, a company from Legnano (Milan) and will provide the service for the next five years.

South African Club Lunceon, October 23

The South African Club of the Cote d'Azur is having a luncheon on Sunday October 23rd in the fabled "Principality of Seborga". The host will be local personality Mark Dezzani, a long time resident of Seborga. Mark will be giving commentary, background and the history of the Principality during pre-lunch drinks. Nothing fancy or formal: just casual and good fun. The all inclusive Italian menu including wine and coffee is €17 per person with a reduced menu and price for children at €10. You don't have to be South African to attend, everyone is invited. To reserve telephone Hugh at 04 93 86 04 77 Portable: 06 75 93 90 93 or email: hughmitford@wanadoo.fr

AIDA REOPENS THE ROMAN THEATRE

With the Aida of Giuseppe Verdi, played by the Chamber Orchestra of the Principality of Seborga, the Roman Theatre of Albintimilium, the ancient name of the city of Ventimiglia, reopened to the public for the first time after almost two thousand years of closure. The event, sponsored by the Italian Ministry for the Arts and Cultural Heritage and organized by the cultural associations of Endas and Porta Marina and by the Institute of Research Angelico Aprosio, had the proper title of: “After 2000 years of silence”.
The orchestra conducted by the maestro Vitaliano Gallo, played music from the famous Verdi Opera Aida and from the sound track movies The Gladiator and Star Wars. The proceeds of the evening went to charity.
Giampiero Martino, President of the Archaeological Park of Nervia, said: “It is with great pleasure that the city of Ventimiglia is symbolically reclaiming its history by using again this theatre that our ancestors have wanted. This is an experiment and the theatre has still serious acoustic problems to resolve caused by its proximity to the Aurelia road and the railway lines. But we are positive about resolving these problems by using sound insulation barriers”.

The next commitment for the orchestra is for the 29 October at Imperia-Oneglia University, with a concert starting at 20:30. Music by Boccherini for the 200° anniversary of his death and for the exhibition organized by IBIS (the Italian Buddhist Institute) titled: "i semi del cambiamento" (the seeds of change).
For more information, visit: www.orchestraprincipatodiseborga.com

The construction of the theatre is dated around 180 A.C. Located on the western border of Liguria, Ventimiglia has had a complex history. It begins with the ancient Roman settlement of Albintimilium, the largest town in this part of the province. Considerable Roman remains are visible near the mouth of the Nervia River, while the mediaeval town is perched on a rocky spur to the west. The modern city did not develop until the late 19th century around the railway station. The territory of Ventimiglia offers very fine landscaping and real estate has developed in the zones of Latte and Mortola. The peerless climate and the fertility of the soil were ideal for establishing fine gardens, subsequently renovated in the late 19th century, the most remarkable being the Hanbury Garden.

PROJECT MOLDAVIA ACCOMPLISHED

The entire Principality of Seborga and its people led by H.R.H. Prince Giorgio I, was behind the organisation of a humanitarian project called “Progetto Moldavia 2005” that draws the participation of many associations and groups from many places in Italy and from the Republic of San Marino.
For the preparation of this humanitarian mission the Principality hosted and organized many public events for raising funds and materials needed for the project that started on 26th August and ended the 10th of September.
The group working on this project was formed by volunteers of the Italian, Seborga and Vallebona Emergency Services, members of the “Seborga nel Mondo” association and Red Cross of Bordighera, doctors, registered nurses, veterinarians, first aids trainers, members of the Italian police and interpreters, all under the patronage of UNICEF International and the Liguria Region.
The primary aim of this mission was to provide training in the areas of health (first aid courses, hygiene, child welfare, rehabilitation and physiotherapy) with the purpose of raising the level of autonomy of the local population. The project also was intended to provide the distribution of clothing, curriculum material, agricultural tools and buying local food and pharmaceutical products to promote the local economy.
The team lead by Flavio Gorni comprised of five vans and more than 20 people and left Seborga just before midnight on the 26th August in the presence of many people who wanted to witness this important event. The team was saluted by H.R.H. Prince Giorgio I, the Mayor of Seborga Franco Fogliarini, and Monsignor Alberto Maria Careggio, bishop of the diocese of Ventimiglia and Sanremo.
The mission was accomplished successfully and there is now the feeling and the desire among the organizers and the volunteers that this mission will not be the last.

The Republic of Moldova is a small country, situated in the Southeast part of Europe, neighbouring Romania to the West and Ukraine to the East. This piece of land boasts a rich history, abundant in dramatic events and turmoil.
From the XIV century it was a part of the Moldova Principality, situated between Oriental Carpathians and the Nistru River, in the north bounded by Hotin, and in the South – by the Low Danube and the Black Sea. Following the Peace concluded in Bucharest, in 1812, a part of this territory was assigned to Czarist Russia, which called it Basarabia - an older name, earlier attributed to the southern part. The aim was to identify this territory as a separate geographic entity from the Moldova Principality.
The Independence of the Democratic Republic of Moldova was proclaimed in January 1918. And later, on March 27, 1918 it was decided to re-unite it with Romania. The next annexure process took place in 1940, following the Molotov - Ribbentrop summit.
According to this, Basarabia became part of the USSR and was proclaimed as the Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldavia. It comprised only nine Basarabian counties and six districts from the left bank of the Nistru River. The present territory of Moldova is smaller compared to the area attributed to Russian authorities in 1812, since the North Hotin, Acherman and the southern Ismail were given up in 1940 by the Soviet authorities to Ukraine.
Due to the restructuring process that started in Central and Eastern Europe, in June 1990 Moldova proclaimed its sovereignty, and on August 27, 1991, its State Independence. On March 2, 1992, the Republic of Moldova became a member of the United Nations.