His Excellency Robert Fillon, Ambassador of Monaco in Italy, representing HSH the Sovereign Prince, inaugurated the “infiorata di Noto” in the Sicilian city on May 20. The Monegasque delegation, composed of Guy Antognelli, Deputy Director of the Tourism and Convention Office, and the celebrated local artist Richard Seren, participated in a series of cultural events during the day to mark the festival.
Prince Albert was made a citizen of honour last year, and relations of friendship and cooperation have blossomed between the Principality and Noto, a city recognised for its architectural qualities as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Noto this year chose to dedicate its traditional “infiorata” – a popular celebration of springtime, during which beautiful decorations of cut flowers are displayed by volunteers in one of the main streets of the city – to Monaco and to make the Principality the guest of honour of the event.
Every year, more than a hundred thousand visitors and numerous media visit “Noto inforiata”.
Monaco had commissioned Richard Seren to create original drawings that were made into the decorative floral displays along rue Nicolaci with the motifs evoking the Principality.