DECEMBER 22, 2024 — The Ligurian regional government in Italy plans to replace its current flag and emblem, with a public design contest set to launch in early 2025, La Repubblica reports.
Regional President Marco Bucci disclosed the initiative during a press conference following a government meeting, describing the effort as an open call for ideas.
The current symbols of Liguria were established by regional laws in 1985 and 1997. The emblem features a stylized silver caravelle bordered in black, with a white sail divided by a red cross and adorned with silver stars representing the region’s four provinces.
The flag, which incorporates the emblem at its center, is composed of three vertical bands in green, red, and azure blue, and they are said to represent Liguria’s mountains, the bloodshed in wars, and the sea, respectively, says IVG.
The existing symbols have faced criticism over the years for their unconventional design and lack of historical resonance. While the emblem celebrates Liguria’s maritime heritage and the legacy of the Republic of Genoa’s Saint George’s Cross, many residents remain skeptical of its aesthetic and symbolic value.
Efforts to alter Liguria’s flag are not new. In 2017, the association Che l’inse! proposed adopting the Saint George’s Cross as the sole official flag, citing its historical significance as the emblem of Genoese dominance over much of the modern Ligurian territory. Despite support from several municipalities, the initiative stalled.
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