L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano the Confraria, an assembly of Seborgans, to exercise their right of self- government. "Seborga became the first a n d t h e o n l y s o v e r e i g n Cistercian Templar state in h i s t o r y , " e x p l a i n s M a r i a Carmela's husband, Carlo Biancheri, a town councilor of Seborga municipality. S e b o r g a r e m a i n e d a Cistercian state until 1729 when the principality was sold to Vittorio Amedeo II, a Savoy prince of Piedmont and the King of Sardinia. "However, the sale was never registered by the Kingdom of Sardinia," remarks Maria Carmela. "That is the reason w h y t h e a n n e x a t i o n o f Seborga into the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, and later in 1946 into the Republic of Italy, are illegal acts based on a false logic." Even Mussolini waved off Seborga as "not Italian" dur- i n g a s p e e c h . " A c t u a l l y , Mussolini sent his son-in-law Galeazzo Ciano as head of Italy's foreign ministry to S e b o r g a , " s a y s M a r i a C a r m e l a . " T h e n t h e D u c e w r o t e o n h i s o w n t h a t Seborga was not Italian. But the document in the custody of Prince George vanished. A n d h o w c o m e ? " C a r l o believes that it was stolen soon after Prince George's death by his own collabora- tors. Prince George's successor, Marcello Menegatto, who took the name of Marcello I, ruled an initial period from 2010 to 2017. "Later, Prince Marcello was reconfirmed for a second mandate that was scheduled to expire in 2 0 2 4 b u t l a s t y e a r h e resigned due to personal and family reasons," says Maria C a r m e l a . A s c i o n o f a n i n d u s t r i a l i s t f a m i l y f r o m Monza, Prince Marcello now resides in Dubai. T o d a y , S e b o r g a h a s a princess as the head of state, not a prince, the first in the history of the tiny principali- ty. Princess Nina, whose full name is Nina Dobler Menegatto, was elected in a g e n e r a l e l e c t i o n l a s t November where she pre- vailed over rival Laura Di Bisceglie. "Di Bisceglie is the daughter of Prince Giorgio, while Princess Nina is the f o r m e r w i f e o f P r i n c e Marcello," Maria Carmela comments. "Prince Marcello abdicated from his position because the pair divorced and he changed residence," Maria Carmela points out. "That was the reason," she laughs with good humor. Maria Carmela portrays the 41-year-old Princess Nina as a classy, elegant and mod- ern princess. "German-born, she is tall and blonde and also brilliant and learned. Besides her native German, she speaks fluent Italian, French, and English and she has the qualities of an excel- lent leader and manager," she says. "Of course, Princess Nina won the election. In the past years, she accomplished so much as minister for for- eign affairs during her hus- band's reign." "By the way, do you know that we also have a 6-month- old royal baby named Maya?" M a r i a C a r m e l a s a y s , h e r voice filled with lively and cheerful joy. "Princess Nina w a s p r e g n a n t w h e n s h e divorced Prince Marcello." T h e s e l f - p r o c l a i m e d micro-nation looks like it belongs to a mysterious fairy- tale. Residents live in a cul- tural, social and political d o u b l e d i m e n s i o n . T h e y proudly believe they are an i n d e p e n d e n t c o u n t r y b u t they are aware they have to respond to Italian institu- tions that have de facto fiscal, legal and political authority o v e r t h e v i l l a g e . " L u c k i l y there is a degree of synergy between the local municipali- ty and the crown govern- ment, between the mayor and the princess," says Carlo. "It is a dynamic twin-track policy that establishes agree- ments for the common good of the Seborghini." T h e C r o w n C o u n c i l o f Seborga is a nine-member consultative body that meets twice a month to advise the princess on various domestic and international affairs. Princess Nina appointed four ministers: Secretary of State Mauro Carassale, the Minister for Sport Gianni F i o r e , S a b i n a T o m a s o n i B o o n , a m i n i s t e r w i t h o u t portfolio who might be the future minister for foreign a f f a i r s , a n d L u c a P a g a n i , Minister of Communications. "The other 5 ministers were elected by the people and I am among them," she says. "I s t i l l d o n ' t k n o w w h a t m y assignment will be. Under the reign of Marcello I, I was the minister for education and youth." "A United Nations delega- tion visited us a couple of years ago and told us that we a r e r i g h t , " s a y s M a r i a Carmela. "If only we could get recognition from at least one legitimate country, even t h e m o s t o b s c u r e a n d remote! That would solve the problem. We could obtain our membership in the UN. P r i n c e M a r c e l l o t r i e d t o negotiate with some micro South African nations but they asked for money that we don't have." The economy of the place is based on floriculture, hor- ticulture, and apiculture. "Seborga made its fortune through the pretty gold-col- ored flowers of the mimosa a n d t h e S e b o r g a b r o o m , " Carlo says. T o u r i s m i s a n o t h e r important economic force in the locale. "The principality is a magnet for tourists as the Templars and the Cistercian monks created a sacred and esoteric aura lingering in our land and it does feel unique," says Carlo. "However, nowa- days there are positive and negative energies trapped together." Carlo adds that today they struggle with internal battles. "I am referring to strange characters who try to sneak in by presenting themselves as the legitimate prince of Seborga. They horn in on our land, they pry, throwing our principality into turmoil and confusion." Carlo alludes to a F r e n c h c i t i z e n n a m e d Nicolas Mutte, who intro- duced himself as "Nicolas I, true Prince of Seborga." He attempted a coup to seize power in a nation that is not on the United Nations maps. "He is a braggart. We have reported him to the Italian a n d F r e n c h p o l i c e , " c o n - cludes Maria Carmela, who also runs the colorful princi- pality souvenir shop. A panoramic view of the Principality of Seborga (Photo: Principato di Seborga) LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE Continued from page 20 The principality has its very own guards… and princes: pictured is Prince Giorgio (Photo: Principato di Seborga)

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