Protagonists on the Prince’s Palace Square in Monaco the municipalities belonging to the Grimaldi Historic Sites Association, as many as 10 Italian ones present among them three from the province of Imperia (Campania, Monteverde, Ripacandida, Canosa di Puglia, Spinazzola, Terlizzi, Poggiorsini, Olivetta San Michele, Ventimiglia and Airole) and two French (Breil Sur Roya and Bathernay).
With two days full of traditional events from the invited municipalities, which delighted the many tourists and visitors who were able to taste and purchase the extraordinary typical Italian products, and admire the work of artisans and hobbyists. Prince Albert himself wanted to visit all the stands and know the details of each one, not missing the opportunity to taste their quality.
“An important moment for these Municipalities, in the limelight in an international reality, which allows them to promote themselves and promote their typical features – explains Fulvio Gazzola, mayor of Dolceacqua and president of the Grimaldi Historic Sites for the Italian side – Some of the objectives that Prince Albert set himself in wanting to establish the federation and the associations connected to it are based on this line. It was, as all my colleagues confirm, an edition that was a great success. For this reason it is right to congratulate Mireille Martini, president of the Pavillon de Monaco, all her collaborators and Thomas Fouilleron, director of the archives and library of the Palace who directed the historical and institutional part, for this result”.
“I thank HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco for the welcome and attention dedicated to Ventimiglia on the occasion of the V Recontre Grimaldi historical sites of Monaco, confirming the close bond that has always united our communities” – comments the mayor of Ventimiglia Flavio Di Muro – “A big thank you goes to the entire organization of the event which allowed our associations to be appreciated by an international audience, bringing prestige to the image of Ventimiglia. A further opportunity for our Administration to strengthen ties with the government of the principality with which we already share important projects and interventions in our territory which encourage us to continue determined in this direction for the future”.
“With respect we send our greetings to HSH Albert II and to the president of the Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco Fulvio Gazzola” – says the mayor of Olivetta San Michele Adriano Biancheri – “Participation in the 5th meeting on 15 and 16 June for the municipality of Olivetta San Michele was a wonderful experience and all the participants, starting from the municipality, the artisans and traders, appreciated the attention to detail of the organization and the hospitality received. The possibility of having had an international showcase of this level was an extraordinary opportunity for our municipality. Therefore, we take this opportunity for ribasay our pride in being members of the Grimaldi Historic Sites Association of Monaco. In the hope of meeting again soon, we renew our heartfelt gratitude.”
“As mayor of the municipality of Airole I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to SAS Alberto Il for having taken part, with my municipality and our local producers, in the 5th Meeting of the Grimaldi Historic Sites, an initiative of great success and international relevance “ – declares the mayor of Airole Andrea Molinari – “An important event for our community and a significant moment of union and exchange with other realities, to which we are linked by history, culture and common traditions of which we are proud. This heritage motivates us to make ever greater commitment to enhancing and preserving the knowledge, excellence and values of our historical and cultural roots”.
“I express on my behalf and on behalf of the entire community I represent, a feeling of gratitude to HSH Albert II for allowing us to participate in the 5th Meeting of the Grimaldi Historic Sites” – says the mayor of Ripacandida Michele Donato Chiarito – “It was an important experience for the municipality, the artisans and artists present in Monaco. A good international showcase for everyone. My hope is that relations between the Grimaldi Sites and the Principality of Monaco will be increasingly implemented. I also express our gratitude for the excellent organization of the event, with attention to every detail.”
“On behalf of myself and the entire Spinazzola community I want to express the most sincere feelings of gratitude towards SAS Alberto II for the hospitality with which he honored us and for the opportunity he granted to our companies and our territory which have had the opportunity to make themselves known and to establish new contacts useful for growth and continuous development” – says the mayor of Spinazzola Michele Patruno – “Thanks to the president of the Grimaldi Historic Sites association Fulvio Gazzola and to the organizers of the event for the impeccable professionalism with which they took care of every single detail of a very successful event. Congratulations to everyone.”
“I am particularly moved by the formidable hospitality that HSH Prince Albert II has reserved for the City of Canosa di Puglia and its delegation” – adds the mayor of Canosa di Puglia, Dr Vito Malcangio – “For the owners of our commercial and artisan activities, for the presidents of the cultural and tourist associations and for the Canosini artists it was an extraordinary international event that enhanced the territory rich in history, archeology and excellent food and wine products. I would like to thank for the wonderful ‘Sounds and Lights’ show reserved for Canosa and the municipalities of the Grimaldi Historic Sites of which I am honored to be part. Special thanks to Fulvio Gazzola whom I greet dearly with the hope of meeting soon. The V Rencontre was a great celebration of friendship which renews and strengthens the bond of the city of Canosa with the Grimaldi family and the Principality of Monaco”.
“With profound gratitude and sincere gratitude the mayor and the community of Monteverde greet and thank HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco for the wonderful welcome and extraordinary hospitality received” – says the mayor of Monteverde Tonino Vella – “For a small village, like that of Monteverde, it was an honor to participate in the V Recontre of the historic sites of the Grimaldis of Monaco. If we evaluated the promotional impact and its fallout, both for the artisans and producers and for the municipality of Monteverde , one might ask if it was possible to repeat the friendship celebration as soon as possible. We are honored to be part of this great family and we also thank the vice president Fulvio Gazzola, for their patience and dedication to the cause. History represents an inseparable link with our past but constitutes the prerequisite for the future! Thanks to HSH Prince Albert II and thanks to Princess Stèphanie for honoring us with their presence and for having strengthened the historical bond with the fiefs belonging to the Grimaldi family. Thank you!”.
“I hereby have the honor to send my cordial greetings to HSH Albert II and to express my deepest satisfaction and heartfelt thanks to the organizers of the very successful 5th Meeting of the Historic Sites of the Grimaldis of Monaco” – says the mayor of Campagna Biagio Luongo – “This initiative represented a fundamental step forward in strengthening the cultural and historical ties between our communities.”
“Undeferrable institutional commitments prevented me from physically being in Monaco but I followed with great interest, albeit from a distance, the celebrations for the 5th Rencontre des Sites Historiques Grimaldi de Monaco” – declares the mayor of Terlizzi Michelangelo De Chirico – “I remained in constant contact with the mayors of the participating municipalities and with the tireless president of the Grimaldi Historic Sites Association of Monaco, my friend Fulvio Gazzola, mayor of Dolceacqua, whom I thank for his ability to involve and for his friendliness as well as for the organization, so that the commitments made during the assembly held last January at the Embassy of the Principality of Monaco in Rome, in which I personally participated in for the second consecutive year. I thank His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of Monaco, and those who spent months organizing the meeting perfectly. Through Councilor Daniela Zappatore, I renewed the invitation to the Prince to return to Terlizzi, a city with a glorious past that still keeps its traditions alive, not only to enjoy the beauty of our flowers and the valuable artistic craftsmanship, but also to rediscover other historical-cultural aspects and, why not, also for some sporting exchanges by playing tennis together”.
A delegation made up of artisans, oil producers and the Pro Loco Unpli, led by the Councilor for Culture of the Municipality of Terlizzi Daniela Zappatore, participated in the ‘5th Rencontre des Sites Historiques Grimaldi de Monaco’. “An experience that everyone describes as wonderful” – the councilor reports for the municipality of Terlizzi Daniela Zappatore – “Monaco is as beautiful as its princesses and as hospitable, welcoming and generous as its sovereign. An unmissable and important opportunity, the one that was offered to us, to promote our products and our excellence. An international showcase for oil, ceramics, basketry and local traditions appreciated by the many visitors who animated the square of the royal palace. An opportunity to strengthen the ties between countries and cultures in a complex historical moment in which it is difficult to build communion and unity, to rediscover our history and that of many other municipalities in Italy and recognize its complexity, a reassembly of the times lost people who always have something to teach us. Because nothing goes in vain. Special thanks to the entire organizational staff for their patience, to Maria Teresa De Scisciolo in particular, who took charge of the mayor’s will and determination to be present in Monaco, but special thanks go to the companies, producers , to the artisans of Terlizzi without whose participation nothing would have happened”.
“Sincerely moved and excited, I thank HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco” – adds the mayor of Poggiorsini Pietro Picerno – “My municipality participated with great joy in the celebration of a grandiose event, which recalled our belonging to the Principality and the history of the Grimaldi family. I am pleased to have made known some of the commercial and artistic realities of our village. We were welcomed and hosted with great honors and unforgettable appreciation. The event, the organization and the ‘Sounds and Lights’ show were wonderful”.
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