Pacitalia
22-11-2008, 09:20
From PNN.pc
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/Pacitalia/DSC_0452.jpg
Blue fireworks, part of a sequence of pyrotechnics representing the
colours of the Pacitalian flag, light up the night sky over the Saronno
dockyards in honour of the Republic's 505th birthday. This year's
celebrations had a distinct international flavour. Revelers will likely
continue to party throughout the night as this is the first time since
2003 that the national holiday has fallen on a Friday.
Millions gather to enjoy the festivities as the Republic turns 505 years old
Celebrations also held around the world in honour of Pacitalia
PNN.pc web team, Timiocato
Millions have gathered in countless celebrations, in homes and apartments, in the streets, in restaurants, social clubs and cafés, on the beaches and elsewhere, as the Pacitalian Republic marked its five-hundred-and-fifth birthday with raucous festivities and reflections on the past year.
Pacitalia's prime minister, Archetenia Nera, delivered the official esperantella — the traditional message of hope and fortune for the year ahead — from the balcony of her office in the New Prado. It is estimated approximately 140,000 people gathered in the adjacent Piazza dei Santi to watch the speech, which was also broadcast on large screens for the benefit of the crowds. The end of her speech at the well-chosen time of 5.05pm this afternoon marked the beginning of what will likely be a full night of celebrations and revelry lasting to the early morning hours. It is the first time in five years the national holiday has fallen on a Friday or at least at the weekend.
Republican Police Service chief constable Alberte Fedorall i Possute urged Pacitalians to enjoy the night responsibly to avoid any major incidents. "When [Pacitalia Day] does fall at the week's end, it serves to amplify the festivities as people have fewer inhibitions. They usually have no commitments or engagements the next morning. Sometimes Saturdays are not so bad because people have church and confession the next morning, but Fridays are always a very nerve-wracking time for law enforcement."
His main request of Pacitalians was not to drink and drive, and said that RPS carabinieri had checkstops set up on major expressways and roads. In addition, transit police in Timiocato and Sambuca were seen pouring out open liquor on metro trains, buses and trams. Timiocato city police said they were not confiscating open liquor in the possession of pedestrians.
This year's Pacitalia Day was one of the more notable times the national holiday was observed around the world, with Pacitalian expatriate and immigrant communities in other countries leading the festivities.
Around three thousand formally dressed revelers attended a dinner celebration in the Southeast Asian capital, Singapore. Pacitalia's new ambassador to Southeast Asia, Massimo Merovingano, was the guest of honour and the keynote speaker. But the most poignant moment came when the country's prime minister, Yao Yang Nelson Neo, seated at the head table next to the ambassador, raised his glass and toasted Pacitalia.
"We look to Pacitalia not just as a success story in such stormy seas," Mr Neo said. "We look up to Pacitalia. Some countries, some governments, some people may disagree with the way Pacitalia conducts its international business, how it carries itself in the world, but I cannot think of a single reason to disrespect them."
He added: "We respect Pacitalia because they are a beacon of human rights and individual liberties, of responsible prosperity, of peaceful coexistence, of internationalism and justice. We respect them because they have never wavered in these principles for five hundred and five years... and that is the very reason they have never let success from their clutches."
Tourists visiting the Republic over the Pacitalia Day weekend were more than happy to join in the celebrations.
Alexandre and Sophie Tremblay, both on holiday from Langlois, Kelssek, were enjoying platefuls of gamboli alla plancia — grilled shrimp in garlic and olive oil — and glasses of Pacitalian asti spumante — the infamously sharp, citrus-tinged sparkling wine — at the renowned Café Margetto in Timiocato's Ladovesta district when PNN.pc caught up with them.
Above the deafening noise of the content patrons, they said they "didn't realise this was happening when [they] planned the trip", but were "having a great time."
"Pacitalia's a nice country," they agreed. "We really enjoy the food; based on the food we've tried so far, Pacitalians really know how to get the most out of the fewest ingredients. That's something we can appreciate."
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/Pacitalia/DSC_0452.jpg
Blue fireworks, part of a sequence of pyrotechnics representing the
colours of the Pacitalian flag, light up the night sky over the Saronno
dockyards in honour of the Republic's 505th birthday. This year's
celebrations had a distinct international flavour. Revelers will likely
continue to party throughout the night as this is the first time since
2003 that the national holiday has fallen on a Friday.
Millions gather to enjoy the festivities as the Republic turns 505 years old
Celebrations also held around the world in honour of Pacitalia
PNN.pc web team, Timiocato
Millions have gathered in countless celebrations, in homes and apartments, in the streets, in restaurants, social clubs and cafés, on the beaches and elsewhere, as the Pacitalian Republic marked its five-hundred-and-fifth birthday with raucous festivities and reflections on the past year.
Pacitalia's prime minister, Archetenia Nera, delivered the official esperantella — the traditional message of hope and fortune for the year ahead — from the balcony of her office in the New Prado. It is estimated approximately 140,000 people gathered in the adjacent Piazza dei Santi to watch the speech, which was also broadcast on large screens for the benefit of the crowds. The end of her speech at the well-chosen time of 5.05pm this afternoon marked the beginning of what will likely be a full night of celebrations and revelry lasting to the early morning hours. It is the first time in five years the national holiday has fallen on a Friday or at least at the weekend.
Republican Police Service chief constable Alberte Fedorall i Possute urged Pacitalians to enjoy the night responsibly to avoid any major incidents. "When [Pacitalia Day] does fall at the week's end, it serves to amplify the festivities as people have fewer inhibitions. They usually have no commitments or engagements the next morning. Sometimes Saturdays are not so bad because people have church and confession the next morning, but Fridays are always a very nerve-wracking time for law enforcement."
His main request of Pacitalians was not to drink and drive, and said that RPS carabinieri had checkstops set up on major expressways and roads. In addition, transit police in Timiocato and Sambuca were seen pouring out open liquor on metro trains, buses and trams. Timiocato city police said they were not confiscating open liquor in the possession of pedestrians.
This year's Pacitalia Day was one of the more notable times the national holiday was observed around the world, with Pacitalian expatriate and immigrant communities in other countries leading the festivities.
Around three thousand formally dressed revelers attended a dinner celebration in the Southeast Asian capital, Singapore. Pacitalia's new ambassador to Southeast Asia, Massimo Merovingano, was the guest of honour and the keynote speaker. But the most poignant moment came when the country's prime minister, Yao Yang Nelson Neo, seated at the head table next to the ambassador, raised his glass and toasted Pacitalia.
"We look to Pacitalia not just as a success story in such stormy seas," Mr Neo said. "We look up to Pacitalia. Some countries, some governments, some people may disagree with the way Pacitalia conducts its international business, how it carries itself in the world, but I cannot think of a single reason to disrespect them."
He added: "We respect Pacitalia because they are a beacon of human rights and individual liberties, of responsible prosperity, of peaceful coexistence, of internationalism and justice. We respect them because they have never wavered in these principles for five hundred and five years... and that is the very reason they have never let success from their clutches."
Tourists visiting the Republic over the Pacitalia Day weekend were more than happy to join in the celebrations.
Alexandre and Sophie Tremblay, both on holiday from Langlois, Kelssek, were enjoying platefuls of gamboli alla plancia — grilled shrimp in garlic and olive oil — and glasses of Pacitalian asti spumante — the infamously sharp, citrus-tinged sparkling wine — at the renowned Café Margetto in Timiocato's Ladovesta district when PNN.pc caught up with them.
Above the deafening noise of the content patrons, they said they "didn't realise this was happening when [they] planned the trip", but were "having a great time."
"Pacitalia's a nice country," they agreed. "We really enjoy the food; based on the food we've tried so far, Pacitalians really know how to get the most out of the fewest ingredients. That's something we can appreciate."