Villa Masséna was the venue for the annual celebration of the Italian community, which celebrated its national day on June 2nd (this year, the official ceremony was moved up by two days).
A large Italian representation was present in the gardens to listen to the speeches of Consul General Serena Lippi and the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi. Prefect Adolphe Colrat and other officials were also in attendance, with Estrosi himself of Italian origin. Both speakers wanted to recall and emphasize the historical ties between the two countries.
In fact, while Nice and its county have never been Italian, one cannot forget that the House of Savoy, after ceding the County of Nice and Savoy to the French Empire, became Kings of Italy.
Today, several thousand residents of Nice, even though they are of French nationality, can claim Italian origins. Additionally, thousands of Italians live more or less permanently in the Nice area.
This celebration was therefore entirely appropriate in this symbolic location. It expressed great conviviality in a pleasant atmosphere.
