21-01-2010-
After a first partnership initiated in 2006 between the Lokrum Botanical Gardens and the Exotic Garden of Monaco, a Croatian delegation will be visiting the Principality for the Sainte Dévote national holiday. 1001 roses will be handed out during the celebrations organised on this occasion. The flowers are a token of thanks and a contribution on behalf of the city of Dubrovnik to this traditional Monegasque national holiday. On 2nd and 3rd February, a Monegasque delegation will leave for Dubrovnik to take part in the festivities of Saint Blaise, the patron saint of the city.
Due to the many similarities between the Principality of Monaco and the city of Dubrovnik: geographical setting, historical and religious background (similarity between Sainte Dévote and Saint Blaise) cooperation between the two cities was initiated in 2006.
This involved scientific cooperation between the Lokrum Botanical Gardens and the Exotic Garden of Monaco funded by the Monegasque Cooperation.
In order to renew this partnership, a Croatian delegation* headed by Mr Andro Vlahušić, the Mayor of Dubrovnik, will be visiting the Principality for the Sainte Dévote holiday on 26th and 27th January 2010.
Mr Šime Pelajić Brunac, the instigator of several promotional tourist campaigns and 3 times the champion of Croatian tourism, initiated the “1001 roses from Croatia” project. He will present 1001 roses to Monegasques on the occasion of their Patron Saint’s holiday.
The roses will be handed out at the entrance of Sainte Dévote’s Church and the Cathedral during the masses organised for Sainte Dévote. The purpose of the operation is for the City of Dubrovnik to express thanks and make a contribution to our national holiday.
In addition to these events, the delegation will be invited to visit the Exotic Garden and the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology of Monaco on 26th January.
On 2nd and 3rd February, the Monegasque delegation, accompanied by the Mayor of Monaco and the Office of International Cooperation will in turn be visiting Dubrovnik to take part in the Saint Blaise festivities and discuss the terms of cooperation between the two cities for the years to come.
*The delegation will consist of Mr Andro Vlahušić, Mayor of Dubrovnik, Ms Biserka Simatović, in charge of international affairs, Ms Dubravka Zvrko, project coordinator for cooperation with Monaco, Mr Sime Pelajić Brunac, initiator of the “1001 roses from Croatia” project. The latter will be accompanied by his cockatoo, Luigi, a descendant of Kokolo, Tito’s parrot, a major attraction in Dubrovnik and Lokrum Island since last summer. The bird will give an exotic note to the event and will symbolise the first project that should continue shortly.
Department of External Relations
Office of International Cooperation (+377 98 98 87) - www.cooperation-monaco.gouv.mc
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