3744 Did you know this ? I didn't...

[I]Republic of Genoa was born in 1099 and all over the Mediterranean Sea a red cross meant Genoa. In 1248 at the battle of Victoria near Parma the Genoese crossbow-men conquered the new imperial city. Milan asked to take the red cross and the allied Genoese allowed them to take the flag. The Genoese and Pisan fleet cleared the western Mediterraneum of the Musulman fleet but after 1284, when Pisa was defeated at the battle of Meloria, and remained the only maritime police (Venice had been beaten at Corcula in 1297). When the Saracens saw the red cross they fled and didn't attack. In 1992 for the genoese columbus festival in Genoa teh Duke of kent have written some words about the relatinship trough Genoa and England in past history: "...The St. George's flag, a red cross on a white field, was adopted by England and the City of London in 1190 for their ships entering the Mediterranean to benefit from the protection of the Geonoese fleet. The English Monarch paid an annual tribute to the Doge of Genoa for this privilege...". In 1304 Venice took Constantinople but in 1361 the Genoese fleet helped Michele Paleologo (scismatic Emperor) to take power in the Eastern Empire, so the trade route to the Black Sea becamed Genoese and they fortified lots of cities and the cities they colonized in south-eastern Europe in fact have arms with a red cross.[/I]

It seems that in accordance with the old treaty English government should still pay (absurdly, I should say) the duty to Genoa because not officially canceled yet.

Category

Culture & Entertainment

Very interesting Sergio. I didn't know this either. Good show.

Treaties are treaties Sergio.

Make them pay all the duty - every penny! :D

[QUOTE=Anastasia]Treaties are treaties Sergio.

Make them pay all the duty - every penny! :D[/QUOTE]

Ok Boss, I'm going to phone Mr. Pericu (Genoa's mayor) and tell him that Mr. Blair is playing dumb and doesn't want to pay his duty.

Can you figure out how much money should be the interest !?

I guess we can cover a part of the Italian state deficit.

How much I'd love to see Prodi transformed in Blair....

Sergio..

Are you sure you are Italian? Don't ask the Mayor to phone! You phone Blair and tell him he is dumb; tell him you want the money, with all the interest due, by next Tuesday.. or you will sell his house in Tuscany! :D

Then split the money with me!

:) :)

YOU ARE AN EVIL GENIUOS !! :eek: :eek: :eek:

But I like your idea. DEAL !!! ;)

LOL

Nice story, Sergio!! Where did you find this information?

Well, watching a documentary about St. George's Cross and Genoa's flag some time ago on Discovery Channel I’ve found out why the two flags are identical, but they haven't said anything about the duty.
Then glancing through Wikipedia (for other reasons) two days ago I run up against a document on the same subject, in the Italian section (the English version omits the fragment about the duty being still effective. I don’t know whether intentionally :confused: :rolleyes: ).

Go to this URL to read the full story (in Italian): [url]http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandiera_inglese[/url]

That fragment ends with the following assertion: “[I]Oggi l'Inghilterra dovrebbe ancora pagare -assurdamente- e ringraziare Genova per la concessione[/I]”. In English it sounds: “[I]Today England should still pay and thank Genoa –absurdly- for that concession.[/I]”

I was aware that it was used as a "flag of convenience" but not that we had to pay for the use(!)

......well found ;)

Nicely nice, Sergio! Thanks alot for the link - I'll have a browse... :)

And they have the cheek to talk about I Genovesi !!!!:rolleyes:

[QUOTE=Dream Academy]And they have the cheek to talk about I Genovesi !!!!:rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

Ok Genovesi are not that generous :) In Italy it's well-known that Genovesi and Triestini are the most stingy people.

Tell us more Sergio..

If Genovesi and Triestini are famous for being stingy.. what are people from other regions famous or well known for?

:D :D

Subject too vast.

But I know something for sure....Friulani are very famous for.... I cannot tell you here....it's a public forum. :p :p :p

Sergio

That's a lazy way out! How are we to learn if the teacher goes on strike?

Dai.. tell us some.

:) :)

I promise that if I receive enough general consent I'll start a new thread to try explainging what I know about differences and beliefs among Italians and what we think of each other with regard to our belonging to a particular region/ethnic group...

You know…..north, south, Lega Nord, [I]terrone[/I], [I]polentone[/I] and so on...but it’s so vast that I should post in installments.

Why do you need further consent? You have permission! :D

Seriously, please try do it Sergio - it will be so interesting.

I think it could be an enlightening thread for us to read.. especially if you can provide the reasons behind the generalisations. It would dispel some of the stereotypical beliefs there are.. Romans have big noses.. Neapolitans are thieves.. Aliena is dead.. :rolleyes:

:) :)

I feel honoured by your request, but I hope you aren't the only one out there interested on the subject....then...give me some hints on what to start from...a thread's title some more encouragement from you would not be bad...then I need a proof-reader ..maybe you ....

...you know, a thread like that would be something more official...;)

[quote=sergiobuonanno]I promise that if I receive enough general consent .....[/quote]

Go for it buddy!

You dont need to start a new thread if you dont want to.. continua cosi se vuoi..

Start anywhere you like.. Why does everyone believe the Romans have big noses? Is it because they are arrogant? Why do people from Parthenope think they are the only true Neapolitans and fight with the ones from Vomero to prove it? Why is one village in total competition with the village 5 minutes away?

Anyway, Tusk and I are definately interested.. what better audience do you need?

:D :D

Ok, you have conviced me. I'll start a new thread.

Great! I'm desperate to know as well. Get posting.

Gosh, I've just noticed that I've got to post at least another 38 times and I will still be an Equestrian. Sergio is on 74 and he is still one. Does anybody know when I will get my next elevation.;)

100 posts I believe is the required amount to leave riders of the storm behind Poppy.. but I've been round the block that many times, I can't be 100% sure. I think you then have a long slog to 300 posts to reach the giddy heights of a Patrician.

Don't quote me though.. as I roll up and down the slippery slope like a Yo-yo

:D :D

Thanks Anastasia! Keep posting. Can I come on your next journey through the skies?

Poppy..

I didn't know you ventured into the bowels of the forum! All are welcome to trip the light fantastic. I shall tell Tinks to reserve a first class seat for you. Please remember it is a non refundable ticket, but the journey can be enlightening.

Welcome aboad.

:D :D

[quote=sergiobuonanno]Ok, you have conviced me. I'll start a new thread.[/quote]

Me too, I wanna know! :)

Hi Anastasia

I'm not working today so I am off to buy my new travelling wardrobe. What would you recommend? Where can my valuables go - hand luggage or in the hold?