Fourth part 1961 - 1966)

Year 1961.

Good ideas are like good seeds: if they fall on fertile soil and are cultivated with care they can bear good fruit.
The idea of "Europe in Bloom" was born a few years ago, it remained in the experimental state for various reasons, but it was destined to become reality and to launch its appeal to the whole continent.
A slogan of considerable success and that well rendered the idea read: "Winter offers you the springtime of Sanremo" and this wording was prominently displayed for a long time on posters, leaflets and various brochures that advertised the flowering course. Spring sunshine and a riot of flowers in the middle of winter: this was, in short, the menu that the city offered to the cosmopolitan crowd that came to attend the event.
The event was ripe to further broaden its horizons by extending its fame at an international level and several foreign nations were invited to participate, achieving even greater success and popularity, thus becoming a real spectacular event of European level.
The creator, artistic director and supervisor was Rino Ceriolo, who designed the sketches or in any case followed the creation and realization of the floats dedicated, from time to time, to cities, characters, fairy tales and traditions of the various countries of Europe.
Sometimes the same floats were subsequently set up also abroad, with further benefits for the event and for the whole Riviera dei Fiori.

The first edition of "Europa in Fiore" took place on Sunday 19th February 1961, under a splendid sun, with the participation of ten European nations plus Italy.
The Organizing Committee was composed of: President I. De Mori, the Councillor for Tourism Eng. P. Goya, the "factotum" B. Tamponi, by V. Azzali, G. D'Agostino, G. Birone, G. Napolitano, A. Lolli, and the course director L. Bernuzzi.
The official presenter of the parade was Mr. E. Malfatti.
The event was filmed live by RAI cameras which, thanks to Eurovision, broadcast it throughout Europe to millions of spectators.
More than 50,000 people were estimated to have attended the event.
In the morning all the folkloric groups paraded through the streets of the city and in the afternoon they would accompany the floats, on which took place miss of the country they belonged to and several beautiful girls from Sanremo, contributing to enrich and sweeten them thanks to their presence.

The parade was opened by the folklore band "Canta e Sciuscia" followed by the "Primavera nel Mondo" wagon of the local A.A.S.T. (Azienda Autonoma Soggiorno e Turismo), representing Sanremo, in bloom by Ada Moriano Battistotti with a blaze of strelitzie, carnations and peach blossoms. It represented a scene set at the North Pole, where seals, penguins and Eskimos for once were not under the snow, but in an expanse of flowering corollas, while the living statue of spring dispersed great smiles to everyone.
Then Austria, with "Romantic Page" by Lori Alberti, inspired by the famous Viennese waltzes, with a beautiful girl enclosed in a huge vaporous sea-green organdis skirt decorated with 200 orchids, while two beautiful figures impersonated a couple of dancers; a ray of white and green ribbons was stretched by the members of the "Bad Aussees" group from Graz wearing the typical Styrian costumes.
For Belgium "Festival in Technicolor" by Lindita Biggio: many flowers and green carpets quilted with carnations with white tulle rosettes were reminiscent of the Ghent flower exhibition; about 7,000 carnations of different varieties, 30 dozen precious roses and 20 dozen strelitzie were used. The cart was followed by the folklore group Fanny Thiboud from Liège who wore grey miner's tunics offering a striking contrast to the multicoloured callas and was accompanied by three clarinet, violin and accordion players.
Denmark was represented by "Un Fiore per il mio Castello" (A Flower for my Castle), which was decorated with 20,000 marigolds and 2,000 carnations and dozens of strelitzie. The castle and the tricuspid crown referred to Prince Hamlet and the town of Helsingøer, twinned with Sanremo since a few years; the "Helsingøer Pige Garde" group of 50 majorettes and fanfare, in blue and white uniforms with a red ribbed cap, accompanied the chariot, performing evolutions applauded by the crowd.
For France, "Une fleur pour mon amour", decorated by Domenico Ziviani, presented five corbeilles full of strelitzie on a carpet of pink carnations and peach blossoms: 200 dozen strelitzie and about 22.000 carnations. In the corbeilles there were five dancers with classic tutus: in the central one there was the actress Francoise De Quental. She followed the folklore group "Provinces Françaises" with beautiful silk and velvet costumes with gold embroidery.
The chariot of Germany was "Armonie Fiorite" in bloom by L. Biggio, C. and P. Bernocchi, with two white swans and a stylised vase: on a sea of pink carnations sailed the great swan of Wagner's Lohengrin. Approximately 20,000 white and pink carnations were employed and the wagon was accompanied by the Bavarian group "Ruhpolding" with the classic costumes and characteristic dances.
Great Britain was represented by "Regality" adorned by G. Pesante: it was surmounted by a heraldic shield with two rampant lions made of marigolds while the colours of the British flag were obtained with violets, carnations and marigold; the group was the "Royal Scottish Country Dance" of London with the classic Scottish skirts and bagpipes accompanying dance figures. The miss on the wagon was the well-known soubrette Gloria Paul.
For the Netherlands "Tulips and Windmills" decorated by A. Bonfante with a profusion of tulips and various flowers; the subject was the classic windmill: the Dutch ladies on the cart wore white headphones, but made with carnation petals and the group accompanying it was "De Schermer Dansers" from Stompetoren, made up of authentic Dutch ladies with traditional clogs and bonnets.
Spain was represented by "Tavolozza Spagnola", by G. Barla, D. Gradi and G.B.Lentisco. inspired by the yellow and gold colours of the Iberian flag and with a large Moorish fountain, all made with about 30.000 carnations and the cart was accompanied by the group "Coros y Danzas de España" from Barcelona with velvet jackets and lace mantillas.
It followed Sweden with "Viaggio Verso il Sole" (Journey to the Sun), decorated by G. Ghu and A. Lo Faro: it featured a sleigh and two stylized white reindeer on a flowery carpet with about 30,000 carnations. On board the blonde miss Tania Beryll wore a splendid spring dress. The group was "Folklore Sweden" from Stockholm and performed some traditional dances.
Then came Switzerland, with "Appointment on the Riviera", adorned by G. Barla, D. Gradi and G.B. Lentisco, which depicted a classic Swiss watch and had required about 25,000 carnations and 36 dozen strelitzie. It was preceded by the Chorale of Ventimiglia and the Fanciulle di Diano Marina while it was followed by the folklore group from Central Switzerland in Lucerne, which weaved dances accompanied by Alpine "jodler" vocals.
The parade was closed by Italy, with the "Europa in Fiore" float in bloom by D. Ziviani. Miss Italy Anna Ranalli was seated on a floral throne with carnations and tulle in profusion. She was accompanied by folklore groups from the Riviera dei Fiori, with the bands: "Tiralogni" from Bordighera, "Florelia" from Ospedaletti, and "Rumpi e Streppa" from Finalmarina.
For the benefit of foreign guests, banquets, sightseeing tours and various celebrations were organised in honour of their representatives, whose members were almost hesitant and embarrassed to find themselves immersed in a blaze of flowers as they had never seen before. When they left to return to their countries of origin, everyone received floral tributes composed of strelitzie, orchids and carnations, so that when they reached their destination they could still keep a tangible memory of the great event in which they had taken part.

(News extracted from "L'ECO DELLA RIVIERA" on Sunday 19.02 and Thursday 23.02.1961).

Year 1962.

The second edition of "Europa in Fiore" took place on 28.01.1962.
The projects were by Rino Ceriolo, who had given life to his fantasy and were skilfully carried out by the skilled craftsmen veterans of many editions of the flowered course.
All the toilets worn by the misses on the floats of the parade were made available by "Haute Couture" of N. Ricci - Grioni and added a touch of great elegance to all the floats of the parade.
Each wagon was preceded by an out-of-print "Innocenti" car bearing a sign with the name of the participating nation; all were richly decorated with flowers of various qualities and had a smiling miss on board.
The floats were accompanied by musical or folklore groups from the country concerned.
The event was filmed, in a Eurovisual connection, by RAI cameras.

The parade was opened, as per tradition, by the characteristic Sanremo band "Canta e Sciuscia" with their bright uniforms and bizarre instruments.
Then came the American Aviation band that performed very lively music.
The folkloric group of the "Cavalcata Sarda", with its rich traditional costumes, used modern Lambrette instead of the famous Sardinian horses.
The first wagon showed the name of Sanremo, which formed a luminous arch of marigolds: it represented Italy and was entitled "No to Winter": it was decorated with flowers by D. Ziviani, with a thick barrier all of carnations and strelitzie that embanked a snowman, while the queen of the wagon symbolised spring and wore an elegant white satin and lace grand evening dress with silver rhinestones and tulle.
The group that proceeded in front of the wagon was made up of the flag bearers of the "Giostra del Saracino" of Arezzo, who made their banners twirl.
Then came Belgium, with "Sorrisi e Merletti", decorated by Rubini and Franchini: it represented a fluffy basket of carnations and pink tulle with flowering peach trees. The pleated silk toilets echoed the character of the wagon.
The folklore group was "Ommegang", from Brussels, who performed an ancient dance around a large puppet.
Next came Denmark, with "The Ugly Duckling" decorated by G. Ghu and A. Lo Faro, featuring a white swan and a red castle with many multicoloured alleys. The miss's dress had a gold embroidered bodice on a red background and a large tulle skirt degrading from indigo to heavenly.
A group of "Greenland Fishermen" in characteristic polar costumes preceded the chariot.
For France, the "L'Etoile de Paris" float, decorated by Lindita Biggio: a stylized Arc de Triomphe, made of marigold and orange carnations with a group of carnations and cream tulle underneath. White dress for the miss, silver laminate and green tulle for the bridesmaids, with ostrich feathers and fishnet stockings.
In tow the folklore group "Amicale des Landais" with the sheepskin costumes that moved skilfully on the long stilts usually used to guard the flocks.
It was then the turn of the musical band "Florelia" from Ospedaletti.
Germany was represented by "Birra a go-go" by G. Barla, D. Gradi and G.B. Lentisco. A large mug with a waterfall of marigold that ended with a foam of white carnations. On top of the jug, under the lid, a miss with a green silk dress and golden straws corset.
The German chariot was accompanied by the Dusseldorf fanfare "Duesseldorfer Fanfaren-Korp" and the Bavarian folklore group "Bad Wiessee" in 18th century costumes.
Great Britain presented "Changing the Guard" decorated by Ada Moriano: the classic tower of Westminster and two royal guards with a tall black colbacco. The miss's toilet was in floral style with peach blossom embroidery.
A large group of "Scots Guards" with bagpipes and the characteristic uniform made up of a red jacket, a Scottish skirt and a black colbacco preceded the wagon.
Immediately after Norway with the wagon "All'Arrembaggio della Riviera", decorated by Barla, Gradi and Lentisco: it presented a Viking ship with a hull of orange carnations "Super Sole" sailing on a sea of blue flowers.
Folklore group "Leikarringer I Bondeungdomslaget" from Oslo who performed ancient music and traditional dances.
So it was for Holland "Clogs and Hollandesine", in bloom by G. Pesante: original version of the windmills with blades replaced by white daisies with rotating corollas on the stem.
The group that anticipated the wagon was "Wij Eren't Olde", composed of people who were no longer young, but who skilfully performed traditional dances and dances.
Spain was followed by "Gitana di Andalusia", adorned by the Municipal Carrara Group: a comb of marigolds, a carpet of mixed carnations and a flight of strelitzie (about 30,000 flowers in all). The miss wore a lace, rhinestones and sequins grand evening dress with a double-wing corset, inspired by the wedding costume of the Spanish nobles.
The folklore group "Coros y Danzas de España" of Barcelona acted as a vanguard, showing dances of ancient tradition.
Then the characteristic band "La Zanzara" of Taggia paraded.
Sweden was represented by "Slalom di Fiori" by Piero and Carlo Bernocchi with a beautiful slide of well levelled carnations wrapped with white tulle.
The group of gymnasts "Svitjod" of Gothenburg in blue leotard who performed exercises with the ball preceded the cart. Among them were also some female athletes who had successfully participated in the 1960 Olympic Games and other important international competitions.
The following is Switzerland, with "Confine Fiorito" by the A.A.S. of Verbania-Pallanza: a gate quilted with red roses indicated the border, beyond which, under a typical chalet, the famous azaleas of Verbano showed off.
The wagon was preceded by the music band "Musique Municipale de la Ville de Genève", which boasted important awards in numerous band competitions and wore picturesque costumes.
Last but not least, the Hungarian wagon with "Passo di Czarda" (Czarda's Pass), decorated by A. Bonfante and representing the Wild Pustza.
He was accompanied by the group "Mecsek" of Pecs with the guardians of the wild and bovine horses equipped with whips; couples in costume performed whirling dance figures.
The parade was closed by another famous characteristic band, a regular guest of the flowery course, the "Rumpi e Streppa" of Finalmarina.

The success of the event greatly exceeded expectations and clamorously contradicted all those who considered the consensus obtained by the first edition insuperable.
Spring sunshine and a triumph of flowers in the middle of winter: this is the prodigy that Sanremo presented to the spectators; the combination of floats in bloom and beautiful girls can well be defined as the "technicolor" of "Europa in Fiore": this, in short, could be the comment on the sumptuous parade that captivated about 60,000 people crammed along its route as well as the gaze of millions of viewers.

(News extracted from "L'ECO DELLA RIVIERA" on Thursday 01.02. and Sunday 04.02.1962).

Year 1963.

The third edition of "Europa in Fiore" took place on 27.01.1963.
There was a lot of concern about the supply of flowers because of the damage caused to the crops by frosts, but somehow the problem was overcome and the event could take place regularly.
In the previous week, the "Vetrine Fiorite" (Flower Showcases) competition was organised by the Floral Exhibitions Authority, which saw the participation of well-known floriculturists and over 40 shops in the town centre.
Among the other collateral events to be remembered is the "Bouqet d'oro" competition, which saw the most important florists of the capitals of the nations participating in "Europa in Fiore" in the competition to make the most beautiful bunch of flowers and which took place in the last few days in the pavilion of Villa Ormond.
In the period from 25.1 to 28.1 the crews of the military ships present in the roadstead were welcome guests of the city: English Destroyer "Shavington", French Destroyer "D'Estes", American Destroyers "Farragut" and "Meredith", Destroyer "Impetuoso" and Frigate "Cigno" of the Italian Navy. The officers of the various ships were also able to attend the parade of wagons.
On this occasion, the organisation had decided to exclude the new method of flower dressing, the so-called "tackling" method, i.e. using only the corollas of flowers pierced with nails on the padding, favouring instead the old traditional technique with cut flowers of first choice, long-stemmed, arranged in tufts, raggera, cascade, which offered a much more elegant spectacle.
The creator of the floats was, as for the previous editions, Rino Ceriolo, now a real deus ex machina of the event, with the collaboration of the artist Jean Butin. The dominant theme of the course were fairy tales and their characters.
The Organizing Committee was composed of: the Councillor for Tourism Mr. Igino de Mori, Mr. Tommaso Costa, Bruno Tamponi, Andrea Lolli, Adolfo Siffredi, Carlo Ranise, Vittorio Azzali, Giovanni Birone, Renato Gori, Leonardo Castagneto (dir. E. P. T. of Imperia), Rinaldo Boscetto, Giovanni D'Agostino, Gianfranco Bau and Piero Gamberini.
On the evening of the Saturday before the course the bands and folklore groups presented an extraordinary show in the flower market of c.so Garibaldi, while on Sunday morning they paraded through the city streets.
The flowery course was also attended by numerous ENIT delegates from their offices located in the various European countries present at the event.
The procession unfolded along the now traditional route: via Roma, from the Zampillo fountain to the intersection with via Verdi, via Nino Bixio and back on via Roma. Nine stands were set up at strategic points to welcome authorities, illustrious guests and paying spectators, while barriers were placed along the streets to contain the large crowd. Ticket prices ranged from 500 lire for the pavements of via Roma to 4,000 lire for the grandstand on the mountain side of c.so Mombello. The pavements of via N. Bixio were free.
The whole course was filmed live by RAI, connected with Eurovision, allowing several tens of thousands of spectators to watch the show, in addition to the approximately 70,000 who came to see it live.
Among the flowers that lavishly decorated the wagons and those used for the launch during the course, it has been calculated that the number of people who were able to attend the course was well over one and a half million, which is a considerable amount, if we also take into account the supply difficulties that arose for the frosts in the days preceding the event.
The various wagons were preceded by "Innocenti 950 spider" cars adorned with flowers, with models on board wearing clothes expressly created for "Europa in Fiore" and kindly made available by the tailor's shop "N. Ricci - Grioni" of Sanremo and Paris.

The parade was opened by the local folklore band "Canta e Sciuscia", a traditional component of the event, followed by the new folklore group "Famija Sanremasca" created and directed by Giuseppe Baudo (the "Pippo" of the TV has nothing to do with it. n.d.a.), composed of 42 elements accompanied by the musical group "Trio dei fiori" with Alberto Malgarini mandolin, Carlo Carbonetto guitar, Carlo Bergamini accordion; they all received a lot of applause along the entire route.
Immediately afterwards the military band of the 17.ma Brig. U.S. Air Force paraded with their sparkling uniforms.
The historical group of the Crossbowmen of Gubbio preceded the first of the twelve floats, the one of Sanremo, representing Italy: "Spring of the World", in bloom by Lindita Biggio. There was a large shell of celestial tulle, 500 branches of flowering peach trees, 900 strelitzie, 8,000 white and orange carnations (Super Sole). A crowd of beautiful girls represented the different leisure opportunities for tourists: Tennis, Horse-riding, Yachting, Flowers, Casino.
The folklore group "Edelweiss" from Klagenfurth anticipated the passage of the dedicated wagon
to Austria with "Once upon a time...", decorated by A. Bonfante with 25,000 mazzeria flowers as well as numerous calle and strelitzie. There were various fairy tale characters: a fairy, Little Red Riding Hood, a gnome, and an elf on a green meadow with 25,000 assorted flowers as well as calle and strelitzie. The spider was decorated with gladioli, while the miss wore an aquamarine Sangallo lace suit with white and blue flowers.
The next folkloric group was "Merchten" of Brussels, which was followed by the Belgian chariot with "The King of the Waters", adorned by G. Ghu and his son, with 9.000 carnations, 12 dozen strelitzie and 4.500 metres of tulle; it presented a golden lamé mermaid with a crown of tulle iridescent in pink and yellow, three stylised waves of blue tulle quilted with white carnations, each guided by a pair of yellow seahorses. On the white spider calle and the miss wearing a silk model printed in large roses with drapes down to the skirt.
Then there was the group "La chanson du Rhone" from Biel, which preceded the Swiss vehicle, inspired by the story of "Heidi", decorated by Gino Barla: it presented little Heidi in the city and mountain environment, with three firs, whose dark mountain tone was magically made with a mosaic of red and blue green flakes, a fountain edged with 200 cyclamen vases, 3,000 multicoloured bunches and 4,000 carnations. The car was decorated with pink gladioli and the model of the girl roses printed in shades from red to yellow and pink.
The folklore group "Vikings Danois" from Frederinksund for Denmark presented "The Little Mermaid", decorated by Angelo Lo Faro: it featured the Little Mermaid, a sailor, a rudder wheel and an anchor of white evergreen, nets and pots with gladioli and peach blossom branches, 6,000 "Sole mio" carnations mounted with pink-yellow tulle. On the spider violet gladioluses and an attractive blonde miss in a blue lace ceremonial dress on a white satin background.
The music band "Dusseldorf Fanfaren-Korps" and the landau of the Dusseldorf princes preceded the German chariot with "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" decorated by G.B. It showed a small house with a tree with barren branches, but adorned with "pompon" of red carnations, other carnations composed large inflorescences in chalices obtained with ficus leaves, forming spots of colour on the lawn and protruding from the tufts of grass: in all there were about 10,000 carnations. The spider was decorated with white gladioli: the model of the miss was made of silk printed with large orange orchids.
The folkloric group "Coros y Danzas de España" was the forerunner of the chariot of Spain, with the story of "Don Quixote", in bloom by G. Pesante with 10 dozen strelitzie, 200 peach blossoming branches, 3,500 marigolds, and 3,500 yellow Vandengon roses: the knight with the lance in remains seemed about to throw himself against large rotating flowers symbolizing windmills. The spider presented a variety of yellow roses and the girl was wearing a silk dress printed with bluebells in various shades of pink.
Another folklore group, "Gernika", from the Basque Country, preceded the French chariot inspired by "Cinderella", adorned by D. Ziviani with a profusion of tulle, 300 peach blossom branches, 16,000 white and pink carnations while two beautiful girls impersonated Cinderella and the Prince. The car was adorned with pink and white carnations, while the miss wore a blue silk organza model in bloom.
Then it was the turn of the band of the "Royal Horse Guards" of London, followed by Great Britain with "Peter Pan", decorated by Ada Moriano with a profusion of ornamental plants (Pandanus, Croton, Aralie, Philodendron) and a colourful meadow of anemones, buttercups, freesias, daffodils and tulips to simulate the island of pirates with Peter Pan, Trilly Campanellino and Captain Hook. On the spider an elegant model in gold lace on blue satin.
The folkloric group "De Kikversen" of Hertongenbosch announced the wagon representing Holland, "Tulip-shaped headphones", decorated by Carlo Bernocchi: three girls with headdresses in the shape of large tulip corollas and around other stylised flowers; the floral decoration was composed of thick groups of tulips and 8,000 carnations. The spyder was also adorned with tulips, as well as daffodils, anemones and buttercups, and the blonde miss wore a silk model with a large wrapping veil.
Then it was the turn of the group "Leikarringen i Bonde-ungdomslaget" from Oslo for Norway, with the wagon inspired by the fairy tale "The Golden Bird" decorated by Santino Franchini with 2.000 m. of tulle, 500 strelitzie and 8.000 carnations, which crowned the prince and the fairytale lady. On the spider a profusion of daisies and carnations; the miss was wrapped in an elegant silk toilet.
The folkloristic group "I trovatori di Bellman" (Bellman's troubadours) came immediately afterwards, which preceded the last wagon, the Swedish one, with "Il magnifico Viaggio del Piccolo Nils" (Little Nils' magnificent journey), adorned by Giuseppe Gradi with 5,000 marigolds to cover small houses, 10,000 freesias, anemones and daffodils to brighten up the lawn and the small village above which the three wild geese carrying Little Nils seemed to take flight. The spider was adorned with different varieties of flowers and the pretty maiden on board wore a dress with fabric printed with pink flowers.
Finally, the parade was closed by the famous characteristic band "Rumpe e Streppa" of Finalmarina, traditional guest of the flowery course.

Despite the cold sunset that blew over the city, there was no lack of sun to brighten up the day and it can be said that this "Europe in Bloom" has proved to be more and more a great feast of flowers, a fragrant and colourful product that only Sanremo is able to offer to Italian and foreign guests in the middle of winter.

(News extracted from "L'ECO DELLA RIVIERA" of Thursday 24.01 and Thursday 31.01.1963).

Year 1964.

Once again Sanremo organized the event "Europa in Fiore", now in its fourth edition, which took place on Sunday 19th January.
Around the event some events of considerable importance had been organized which attracted crowds of spectators and experts.
The first was the exhibition "La casa in Fiore", designed by architect Gio Ponti and set in the pavilion of Villa Ormond. The basic idea was that flowers should not be a vague complement to our houses but become their almost absolute protagonists. The project was designed by architects Giuliana Grossi Corsini, a descendant of a well-known Sanremo family, and Costantino Corsini, Jolanda Collamati Wiskemann and Giorgio Wiskemann, with the collaboration of the floral designer Baron Pasino Bagatti Valsecchi, under the aegis of and organised by the Sanremo Department of Tourism and the Sanremo Floral Exhibition Authority. In addition to the presentation of the various rooms of the house, the exhibition was completed by eight compositions with a fixed theme; on the ground floor four flower beds dedicated to the flowers of the four seasons and on the upper floor four types of gardens: Italian, Japanese, English and Mexican.
In addition, the "Corbeille d'oro Sanremo 1964" competition was organised, in which florists from all the nations present at "Europa in Fiore" participated and which included the awarding of separate prizes for the works in the rose and carnation sections.
The sun that had shone all the previous week did not fail to shine even on Sundays, making the colour of the flowers shine and warming the foreign guests, who were able to forget for a few hours the fog and snow of their distant countries, and thus contributing to making this edition of "Europa in Fiore" unforgettable.
Without a doubt, this year's flowery course deserved the palm of the best among those that followed in previous years. The beautiful day, the very large and enthusiastic audience, the high level of the show of the folklore groups, the floats conceived with genius and made with great skill and abundance of flowers: all these elements contributed to the success of the event.
As proof of the importance reached by the event, the television programme saw the presence of numerous crews who broadcast the parade in many European countries, and the press brought about a hundred envoys, both Italian and foreign, to Sanremo.
The floral decoration of the floats was carried out not only by talented and expert local craftsmen, but also by foreign florists, who were not at all disfigured, on the contrary, they proved to be up to the situation.
The evening before, the folklore groups from the participating countries performed at the Ariston Theatre, giving life to a wonderful show, with "numbers" of international value that offered a sufficiently complete panorama of the vast field of European folklore.
The flowery course perhaps found its song: "Fiori", composed by Alberto Rabagliati, sung by a Nilla Pizzi in great form and diffused several times by loudspeakers along the route of the parade.
The various flowery floats were preceded by a flowery car, with a television announcer and a sign with the name of the nation concerned on board, as well as the respective folklore group.
The parade started on time at 2.30 pm with the characteristic band "Matuzia Canta e Sciuscia" and the "Famija Sanremasca" folklore group.
The famous singer Nilla Pizzi was on board of the infiorata car, while behind the vehicle was the picturesque Sardinian folklore group "Costa Verde".
Here then was the Sanremo wagon, representing Italy, set up by Ada Moirano and Carlo Bernocchi, which was entitled "Festival di Sanremo" and featured a large staircase with the Casino's profile in the background and two stylised palm trees: a great profusion of strelitzie, carnations and irises forming large tufts and a colourful carpet. A flight of doves recalled the song "Vola Colomba" performed by Nilla Pizzi in the 1952 festival.
Then it was Belgium's turn, with the folkloric group "Compagnie des Coperes" that preceded the "Bruxelles" wagon, in bloom by Marguerite Leener and Irma Ipser; it presented an old stagecoach complete with suitcases and hatboxes that seemed to travel along a road with saplings and lampposts; on board were ladies in crinoline and bald knights, while on the spider there was Mad.lle Silvie of Belgian TV.
He followed Denmark, with the wagon entitled "Wonderful Copenhagen", which presented a reproduction of the old Copenhagen fish market, the oldest in Europe, but instead of fish there were many flowers of all varieties, skilfully arranged by Ingeborg Madsen and Tove Beraing. The band "Helsingøer Pige Garde", made up of beautiful girls, preceded him, and Hanne Sommer from Danish Radio and TV, from Danish Radio and TV, sat on the spider in bloom.
Then came France, announced by the flowery car with Miss Françoise Robia of French Radio and TV and the Breton folklore group of Saint Malò; the cart was called "La Vie en Rose" and showed a large fountain of tulle and carnations on a Versailles aiola. The floral decoration was the work of Denise and Lucien Romey.
Germany followed, preceded by the flowery car with the German TV announcer Helene Lindberg on board and the Bavarian folklore group. The wagon was called "Trink, Trink Brüderlein!". (drink up, drink up little brothers!): it had an eight-track and a small train with a locomotive with a boiler-bellied quilt of white and blue flowers and a funnel soaked in white and sky-blue tulle, while from the blue beer mugs overflowing with golden froth peeped blond girls in the role of pretty waitresses. The flower arrangement was carried out by Mr. Martha and Herbert Bracht.
The chariot of Great Britain was preceded by a flowery spider carrying Rosy Shamash from the BBC. The folklore group was all-female "Dagenham Girl Pipers", consisting of Scottish bagpipers. The name of the wagon was "The Waltz of Candles" and the subject reproduced the famous Waterloo Bridge, an arcade with lampposts on the parapets, on which the pathetic farewell of two boyfriends took place. For the floral arrangement, by Anne and Geoffry Lewis, were used: strelitzie, roses, white, red, yellow and violet carnations, gladioli and cyclamens.
Then followed Norway, with a flowery spider where the blonde Inger Lise Haug, from Norwegian Radio-TV, stood out; the folkloric group were the fishermen of Oslo, while the wagon, entitled "Come with me to fish" presented a stylized whale, made of marigold, on a blue sea, who had captured a small boat with two lovers. The floral decoration was made with art by Biorn Seim and Claus Vorkel.
It was then the turn of Holland, whose wagon was preceded by the flowery car with Berthelotte Rochat on board, announcer of Dutch TV, and the band "De Narrekop" composed also of beautiful girls with beautiful costumes and tall all-white colbacchi. The title of the wagon was "Aan Amsterdamsche Grachten" (Aan Amsterdamsche Grachten) and it depicted the typical accordion that cheers up the inhabitants of Dutch towns and villages, with a wealth of gladioli, marigold and blue tulle ornaments; decorated by Boot Stoffel and Hanneglenden Robert.
It was then the turn of Spain, foretold by a flowery spider on which the blonde Anna Maria Solsona of Spanish radio and TV smiled, and by the characteristic group of dancers from Pamplona, wearing traditional costumes. The chariot, entitled "La Violetera", was inspired by the violet seller of the homonymous song, and set against the background of the Alhambra courtyard, with its Moorish arches and large fountain. The flowerbed was by Francisco Paris and Telesforo Llorente.
Sweden then moved on, preceded by the infiorata car, which hosted Yvonne Christensen of Swedish Radio-TV, as well as the Gothenburg folklore group. The wagon, entitled "Goeck Valse" (Cuckoo's Waltz), had a large spiral of carnations around the cuckoo clock, which was intended to represent the wave of a waltz; a gladiolus flight supported the clock. The floral decoration was made by Arne Kjellgren and Edwin Hanssohn.
The chariot of Switzerland was announced by the flowery spider on which Wilma Bontagnali, announcer of the Swiss TV, and the characteristic "Appenzeller" group with traditional rural costumes and tools. The subject of the wagon, entitled "George of Lake Maggiore", consisted of a chalet on the lake shore and many peach blossoms, while a peasant girl was waiting for her lover; the rich and colourful flower arrangement was set up by Konrad Hunwiller and Walter Merz.
The last nation was Hungary, foretold by the car in bloom, which had on board Judit Lenart of Hungarian Television, and by the folklore group from Dombovar with its picturesque characteristic costumes that performed wild numbers of "czarda", the traditional Hungarian dance. The chariot, entitled "Rhapsody No. 15" by Listz, depicted the sound box of a large violin and the characteristic embroidery used to adorn the sleeves and lapels of traditional costumes: the scrolls of the decoration wrapped three amphorae reproducing the motifs of Hungarian folk pottery with flowers. The chariot was decorated by Erszebel Zsibita and Gyoergyne Horvath.
The parade was closed by the band of the 17th U.S.A.F.E., one of the most famous and applauded military music bands.
In order to fully understand the reasons for the success of the event, it is necessary to remember that about 200,000 flowers, mainly carnations, but also strelitzie, roses, violets, marigolds, peach blossoms, etc., were used to decorate the floats; to these must be added the 150,000 bunches of various flowers used for the "battle" between the floats and the spectators; in addition, the folklore groups offered a fairytale and picturesque panorama of the popular traditions of the twelve participating countries.
It must be said that a part of the merit is to be attributed also to the wonderful sunny day, to the efficiency of the order service and to the very successful collateral events: from the folkloristic and musical review of the Ariston theatre to the exhibition "The flower in the house", which registered a general consensus and a daily average of about one thousand paying visitors. Special praise is due to the organizing committee, the Councillor for Tourism Paride Goya and all the employees of the Tourism and Events Office, who have worked with self-sacrifice for the success of the flowery course.
It was an edition of "Europa in Fiore" which certainly surpassed all the previous ones, under the banner of the beauty of flowers, the grace of the female "cast" and cheerfulness, with an invitation to concord and collaboration among all the European peoples.

(News extracted from "L'ECO DELLA RIVIERA" on Sunday 19, Thursday 23 and Sunday 26 January 1964).

Year 1965.

The edition of "Europa in Fiore" took place on Sunday 24th January, with the subtitle "La Moda nel Mondo". In fact, this year the event aimed to wink at international high fashion, displaying a wardrobe worthy of Queen Sirikit of Thailand, recently proclaimed the most elegant woman of 1964.
"Europa in Fiore" represents the culmination of the flowery carousels that for almost a century have marked, with more or less spectacular editions, the Sanremo Carnival period; a magic that is renewed every year with an abundance of flowers of all species: roses, carnations, strelitzie, orchids, daisies, violets, mimosas, broom, anemones, buttercups and others, which are used by hundreds of thousands to decorate the floats and to pack the bunches to be launched during the so-called "battle of the flowers".
To enrich the outline of the event, other events of certain interest have been organised: the European competition "Corbeilles d'Oro Sanremo", almost a European championship of florists to set up the most beautiful corbeille of roses, carnations and the most beautiful bridal bouquet, with the participation of fifteen countries that sent two official representatives each to Sanremo and the works created, true masterpieces of inspiration, beauty and refinement, were exhibited at the "Bellevue" Town Hall; the exhibition of the best floral varieties was also planned by the floriculturists who requested them in numerous shop windows in the town centre.
On the occasion of the event there was also a gathering of military naval units from Italy, France, Great Britain and the United States.
In the evenings preceding Sunday two magnificent and applauded shows were organised at the Ariston Theatre, during which all the folklore groups performed traditional songs, choreographies and dances. The improvised show the previous year was so successful that it suggested to the organizing committee the idea of having it repeated again this year, doubling the evenings, so that the local public and foreigners could admire it more easily. On such occasions a "Hymn of United Europe" written by Maestro Reddy Bobbio on verses by Dr. E. Berio was also presented; the performance was by the "Corale di Imperia" whose members wore Ligurian fishermen's costumes, with blue trousers, high red belt, coloured shirt and grey cap hovering over their heads.
As in previous editions, the projects and sketches of the flower floats were due to the imagination and genius of Rino Ceriolo, who was increasingly the true creator of the event.
A novelty of this edition was the extraordinary participation of Las Vegas, the city in the American state of Nevada famous for legally hosting numerous gambling houses and this fact aroused the interest of N.B.C., one of the most important television networks in the USA, which entered into an agreement with RAI to obtain an extensive filmed summary of the parade to be included among its programmes.
The event not only enlivened the streets of the city, but also entered the homes of half of Europe thanks to its Eurovision connection with many countries, increasing its popularity and charm.
As far as television filming is concerned, the camera station has been modified, placing them at the height of the Post Office, so as to have a wider field of filming for their patrols that could also film the gardens in front of the bus station and the area of the "Zampillo" fountain with its wonderful group of giant palm trees.
There was also a large number of correspondents from the major Italian and European newspapers: for France "Le Monde", "Le Figarò" and the French edition of the "New York Herald Tribune"; for Germany "Die Welt" and "Fotoreporter"; for Great Britain "The Guardian" and "South Wales Argus", as well as others from Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Spain, Switzerland and Yugoslavia.
Hotels, guesthouses and inns were no longer available for several days and many tourists, who had not booked on time, were forced to spend the night in their cars.
The route took via Roma from Zampillo to the railway station and back on via N. Bixio. The layout of the numbered grandstands was varied: under the gardens of the bus station comfortable armchairs were placed, on five rows, which allowed to follow the whole course in an almost perfect way. Prices ranged from 5,000 lire for this privileged grandstand to 2,500 lire for the other grandstands in Via Roma up to 400 lire for the seats on the pavements.
The day came under the best auspices: clear, sunny, almost springtime, perhaps the first after several weeks: the streets were overflowing with people from every region of Italy and also from various foreign countries. Unfortunately, many restaurants and shops were unable to take advantage of the opportunity of an exceptional influx of visitors and remained closed, offering yet another demonstration of chronic disinterest in the needs of visitors.
The parade started punctually at 2.15 p.m. and was opened, as per consolidated tradition, by the characteristic Sanremo band "Canta e Sciuscia", with their original musical instruments.
Immediately afterwards came the group of the majorettes of Nice with their very short dresses, which brought a fresh and youthful breath of fresh air, triggering the applause of the public.
Each wagon was preceded by a spider car with a sign bearing the name of the country and the folklore group of the nation concerned. On board the car there was a female model dressed in elegant clothes produced by the best Italian and foreign tailors.
For Italy there was the Gressoney valley folklore group with twenty-five men and girls in characteristic and picturesque valley costumes, dancing and singing traditional songs from their region.
The chariot of Italy, inspired by tradition in Sanremo, showed a marvellous garden with a great quantity of flowers, from the most precious to the most common ones, and five circles intertwined around a central nucleus that symbolised the United Europe, as confirmed by a large flowered "E" standing out on the petal of a large stylised flower. On the base of the chariot stood out the name of Sanremo. In the middle of the flowers five beautiful girls representing as many countries.
For Belgium the folklore group "Le Réveil Ardennais" or "Awakening of the Ardennes" paraded; a historical complex with a long tradition behind it and its dances still had the flavour of fabulous times long gone. The chariot gave a delicate interpretation of Bruges lace: four white, fluffy and impalpable butterflies gave the impression of flying over the heads of the spectators.
It was then the turn of Denmark with the complex "Tingluti", whose name seems to derive from the lyrics of an ancient traditional Danish song, all composed by very young dancers.
A couple of stylized Viking warriors were on the wagon, inspired by a famous monument in a square in Copenhagen. From the long golden trumpets came out bouquets of flowers of all kinds and shades.
For France, the folklore group "Le Cyclamen" from the Savoy valleys paraded through the streets of France, preserving intact the traditions, costumes, songs and dances of the distant past. The wagon provided a reminder of the frivolity and vanity of women's fashion, proposing a stylized peacock made with flowers of all shades, moreover on the platform of the wagon was made a large multicoloured pen, from which rose saplings similar to peacock feathers. On the cart there was a mannequin with an elegant toilet made by Monique Garnier-Lançome and three pretty girls.
Next came Germany, which presented the "Prince of Carnival", a character who in the city of Düsseldorf assumed a role of almost equal importance to the mayor and the "Düsseldorfer Prinzengardner" group with brightly coloured costumes, which brought a different atmosphere to all other groups. The chariot had a flowery castle with its crenellated towers, which gently declined with a fine dynamic feel, accentuated by the transverse position of the subject. The colours used for the composition were very lively, with the roofs made of orange marigolds while large tufts of multicoloured carnations together with some flowering peach trees completed the picture.
Then followed Great Britain, which was represented by the Welsh folklore group "Cör Aelwyd Caerdydd" from Cardiff, made up of boys wearing original costumes from their homeland and performing songs in their native language and classical and modern choreographies. The chariot showed a puppet depicting Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective, with a giant magnifying glass, which seemed to scrutinize the multicoloured flowers and miniatures of "Big Ben" and the towers of the London Bridge; a brunette beauty from Sanremo impersonated Dr. Wattson, Holmes' faithful friend.
Much appreciated the group presented by Yugoslavia: "Tanec of Macedonia", more precisely of Skopje, the city that became sadly famous for a recent catastrophic earthquake, which brought Yugoslav folklore all over the world. Its specialties, accompanied by the typical Macedonian trumpets, are the dances and acrobatic jumps, performed with the characteristic white costumes of the men and the richer and more colourful ones of the women. On the other hand, the flowered wagon was not up to other countries (with a subject defined in "generic" jargon): it showed a simple stylised flower, but the carnations and the much tulle used did not avoid the impression of a poor and insignificant wagon.
So it was the turn of Norway, which sent the group "Setesdal Youth Group" a representation of very young people between eleven and thirteen years old with the traditional costumes of the whale fishermen of those icy regions. The wagon presented a midnight sun, made with carnations of a vigorous bright red, softened by pure red tulle, which stood out on an expanse of fluffy tulle: half was blue as the sea and half green as the meadows; three white sails half-hidden by bunches of strelitzie completed the original setting, where some blonde girls presented models for next summer.
Then, for Holland, the group "Tambour en Trompetten Korps Ahoy" came, made up of beautiful girls with a short uniform and a tall white colbacco who marched and performed evolutions to the sound of a cheerful march. On the wagon two classic stylized and flowery "Dutch girls" seemed to push two big wheelbarrows full of all kinds of flowers: the platform of the wagon, slightly raised, simulated a real road with flowering peach trees and other colourful flowers on the sides. The beautiful girl on the cart wore an elegant spring model.
She then followed Spain, which presented the folkloric group "Aire de Andaluçia", formed by dancers and beautiful young Andalusian girls in their characteristic costumes; accompanied by the guitarist Garçia Ramos, one of the most famous and appreciated in Spain, they performed traditional songs and dances. The Spanish chariot showed a large flowery carpet with a staircase that reached a small stylised Andalusian village, with a profusion of multicoloured flowers.
Much awaited Sweden, with the "Kungl Svea Livgard" that is the band of the royal guards, one of the most famous and ancient military complexes, particularly admired also for the richness of its costumes, with the characteristic colbacchi covered by a helmet of white feathers that moved in time with the musicians. The chariot had an innovative subject, all in white carnations, consisting of a large stylized sledge with two arched skids that stretched forward, while on the back a geometric design resembled a snow crystal; the whole set on an arched base, also white, which represented a snowy slope. In harmony with the set design, the girls on the cart wore ski models.
Switzerland brought two folklore groups: "Le Feuillu", from Plan-Les-Ouates in the French-speaking canton, is a well-known ensemble of dancers accompanied by a folk orchestra. The "Spreggelen" group came from Ottenbach in the German-speaking canton and consisted of flag-wavers, whiplashers and some grotesque masks depicting monstrous animals. The dominant motif of the wagon was the Swiss environment and views: a group of large edelweiss stars in the background, some stylised snowy mountains and, with a very scenic effect, a glimpse of the countryside full of brightly coloured flowers. The model on the wagon was wearing an elegant, very fluffy St. Gallen lace toilet.
Once the twelve European floats were completed, the representative American model, a debutant in the Sanremo limelight but with a wealth of means in the classic "made in the U.S.A." style, paraded. Representing Las Vegas and Nevada, here is a classic "Conestoga Wagon", the characteristic wagon of the pioneers of the West, pulled by three horses and made with blue and yellow flowers that gave it a certain grace: it was accompanied by some figurants in cowboy costumes and an authentic Indian chief with an eagle feather headgear.
The wagon series was closed by the vehicle set up for Paramount, the producer of the film "L'uomo che non sapeva amare", which had its national premiere at the Casino Theatre. In a great profusion of flowers and pink and white tulle, against the backdrop of a vast stage, emerged the remake of an empire-style bed, on which lay a blonde beauty in golden lamé that looked like the stand-in of Carroll Baker, the film's performer. Some parabola spotlights and a stylised remake of the famous Paramount studio gate completed the set design. Four vintage cars accompanied the wagon with models wearing 1930s style clothes.
The parade finally ended with the "17.th U.S.A.F.E. Band", the band of the 17th American Air Brigade stationed in Germany which received warm applause.
"Europa in Fiore" 1965 went into the archives, but the echo of the applause and unanimous acclaim expressed by the public and the insiders remained.
The show seen live by the spectators was marvellous, worthy of an event of a calibre that can now be defined worldwide, but moving the point of view in front of the television screens, it seems that things did not go very well.
The new position of the cameras was not exploited in the best way: there was a lack of shots of the surrounding environment, abusing instead "very long fields", where you could see little and badly, or close-ups centred more on the majorettes' legs than on the choreographic movements and the flowers of the floats, but, apparently, it was not only the direction of the filming that was missing, because even the audio of the groups and bands left a little too much to be desired as it was too weak.
Let us hope that the notes addressed to certain details can serve as a warning to avoid similar mistakes in future editions.
(News extracted from "L'ECO DELLA RIVIERA" of Sunday 06.12.1964 - Thursday 14.01- Sunday 17.01 - Thursday 21.01 - Thursday 28.1.1965)

Year 1966.

"Europa in Fiore" is not only a parade of floats in bloom, but it is a fairy tale, an advertising event, an exhibition of elegance and feminine beauty, a flower show as well as a fabulous television show and finally an excellent opportunity for thousands of tourists to spend a few days in the warm Sanremo climate far from the winter rigours of their countries.
Now in its sixth edition this year, it was held on Sunday 23rd January, under splendid sunshine even though the black clouds and light rain of the previous day had kept the organisers breathless until the last moment. In order to guarantee the filming, however, it was also decided to quickly set up a sort of canopy under which the wagons could be paraded, but it was not necessary.
The author of the sketches and the relative realization projects was the now famous arch geom. Rino Ceriolo, assisted by the architect Jean Butin and the geom. Piero Salvago and also this time the subjects shone for their originality and creativity.
For the floral decoration of the floats and the launching of the bunches of flowers, 90,000 carnations, 25,000 marigolds, 2,000 strelitzie and several thousand anemones, peach blossoms, gladioli, violets and other flowers were used.
The presence of press and television reporters from Italy and abroad to document and narrate the magic of the show offered during the parade has been very much appreciated.
In addition to the flowery course, other collateral events were organised.
Two evenings, both sold out, allowed to admire at the Ariston Theatre the performance of the folklore groups coming from the various countries that joined the event and were very successful.
The "Vetrine Fiorite" competition was organised, which saw the best shops in Via Matteotti adorn their windows with elegant floral arrangements.
There was also a gathering of military ships from Italy, the United States and France that sent the aircraft carrier "Arromanches".
The organizing committee was composed by : Andrea Lolli, Councillor for Tourism, President; Comm. Corrado Zanazzo, President. E.P.T.; Prof. Fernando Copello cons. deleg. AAST; Mr. Luigi Bertolini presid. A.T.A.; Avv. Giulio Allione; Armando Anselmi; Dr. Pietro Armela; Prof. Giovanni Asquasciati; Avv. Alfonso Carella; Ing. G. Carlo Del Gratta; Gino De Mori; Cesare Filippi; Ing. Emilio Maiga; Avv. Roberto Moroni; Geom. Claudio Nicolini; Severino Soracco; Rinaldo Boscetto, add. Stampa; Rag. Ettore Oddo, head of the municipal tourism office; Geom. Piero Salvago, construction site director. The clothes and costumes were supplied by the Ricci-Grioni and Joly Rose ateliers of Sanremo.
The event started on time at 2.30 p.m., filmed by the cameras of RAI, connected in Eurovision with eight other countries.
The first to parade was the French Navy crew band; then came the groups of "Canterini Peloritani" from Messina and "Canterini Nicastresi" from Nicastro, wearing the traditional costumes of their regions.
The parade continued with seven Fiat 850 spider cars bearing the letters that form the name of Sanremo: on board each one there were many flowers and a beautiful girl.
Then, for Italy, the Sanremo wagon, which symbolically summarized the theme of floriculture, with a large solar disk formed by 3,000 yellow carnations and a flight of stylized swallows, intertwined with the rays of the sun, which seemed to herald the spring; 500 roses made up the name of Sanremo and another 1,500 surrounded it with strelitzie, gerberas, and many other species of our floricultural production. A beautiful young girl sitting in the centre of the sun wore an elegant golden lamé evening dress from the Ricci-Grioni tailoring shop, while two other girls completed the scene. The chariot had been floored by Ada Moriano and Piero Bernocchi.
The group "Pige Garde" from Helsingør, a traditional guest of the event, announced Denmark, entirely made up of beautiful girls who performed as majorettes and musicians, receiving applause and flattering praise. The wagon featured an expanse of 10,000 carnations and white tulle, reminiscent of the northern moorlands, on which stood a polar bear with his cub, also made with white carnations: on the front of the wagon a large tuft of assorted flowers and two beautiful maidens in fluffy and very elegant evening dresses. The floral decoration was by Carlo Bernocchi.
He followed Switzerland, with the group from the Canton of Uri in central Switzerland, with flag-wavers and dancers performing precise and timed exercises. The chariot, decorated with flowers by Giuseppe Ghu, presented a large doll in regional costume whose ribbons became the profile of two flowered hearts and woven garlands of flowers. About 10,000 carnations and several other flowers were used.
The "Zuid Nederlands Folklorebaliet" by Berger op Zoom, a group that combined majorettes with very short skirts and folklore with the main activities of the Dutch countryside and classic wooden clogs, came to Holland. The chariot, decorated by Lindita Biggio and Piero Bernocchi, showed the Keukenhof castle overlooking the homonymous garden with a profusion of no less than 15,000 tulips in dark pink and red tones.
Great Britain was represented by the "Jersey Green Room Club" group, specialised in the mimed creation of famous fairy tales: Aladdin's was chosen for the occasion. The chariot, majestic and original, made by Piero Bernocchi with about 10,000 marigolds, 500 strelitzie as well as carnations, gladioli and other flowers was unanimously accepted: it was inspired by the park of Earihall Castle and presented asymmetrical chess figures, with flowered pawns and living pawns in black and white costumes.
He followed Germany, foretold by two folklore groups: "Schwertletanzer" from Constance, who performed choreographic dances with swords and "Fanfarenzug Niederburg" from Ueberlingen with brilliant costumes accompanied by the notes of a loud fanfare. The chariot, set up by G. B. Lentisco, was inspired by an ancient German legend and featured a large swan, decorated with 10,000 white carnations, tulle and sequins that created a pleasant play of reflections, which supported between its wings a boat full of flowers and occupied by beautiful girls dressed as fishermen.
They then paraded, cheering the spectators who welcomed them with enthusiastic applause, the Majorettes of Nice, with their splendid blue uniforms that offered a welcome interlude between the various groups and floats.
It was then Austria's turn, with the "Burgenland" group from Morbisch am Neusiedler See on the Hungarian border. The wagon showed a stylised miniature copy of the famous Vienna Prater Ferris wheel on the banks of the Danube, but the wagons were replaced by baskets full of flowers. The wheel moved thanks to a manual mechanism operated by a willing and robust girl. Marigolds, white and pink carnations, peach blossoms and other flowers provided a pleasant and harmonious picture set up by Maria Bonfante.
The group from France was "La Belle Arlesienne" and was composed of women with hairstyles and dresses of neo-classical style, similar to those of ancient Greece. On the cart a glimpse of the gardens of Versailles: a large fountain with gushers made up of 6,000 white carnations and silver ribbons, orange marigolds, about 4,000 yellow carnations, 500 strelitzie and various flowers completed the setting designed by Mario Guglielmi di Ospedaletti.
Spain was represented by the group "Coros y Danzas" of Sitges, announced by firecrackers bursts and puffs of smoke, which brought the "caliente" atmosphere of Catalonia. On the cart a large stylised fan supported by Moorish style arches. To flower it, by Vanni Pesante, 12,000 white, pink and yellow carnations, 10,000 marigolds, 500 strelitzie, a heap of roses and other various flowers were needed.
For Sweden there was the group "Reginette di Santa Lucia" composed of twenty young girls, chosen according to the vote of the readers of the main Swedish newspapers, who wore a long white dress and a crown decorated with lighted candles on their heads. The subject of the wagon consisted of a stylised vintage car and a large sun, signifying the journey from the cold Nordic lands to the sun of Sanremo. For the decoration, made by Cino Barla, 12,000 yellow and white carnations, roses, strelitzie, gladioli, buttercups, anemones and cyclamens were used.
From Greece and in particular from the island of Crete came the group "Vrakoforon" who performed a whirling "sirtaki" the traditional dance made famous by the film "Zorba the Greek". The chariot had a reference to the Parthenon of Athens with white and orange columns, made by Domenico Ziviani with carnations, callas, gladioli, irises, hyacinths, buttercups and anemones.
The last country to parade was Belgium with the group "Les Chinels" from Fosse-la-Ville, with fanciful costumes and lucky humps. On the float a reference to Bruges lace, with large birds and multicoloured quilted flowers, as well as a mosaic of irises, strelitzie, callas and hyacinths.
Closing the event were the well-known Sanremo characteristic band "Canta e Sciuscia" and the "17th U.S.A.F.E. Band in Germany", that is the band of the 17.ma brigade of the American Air Force stationed in Germany.
Thus ended a wonderful day that had offered a great floral fresco where the absolute protagonist was the spring of Sanremo, in other words our floriculture: to have reproposed its abundance and quality in front of thousands of live spectators and millions of viewers is an undeniable merit of this "Europe in Bloom 1966".

Before exhausting the commentary, after having extolled the merits of the flowering course, it is, however, necessary to make some reflections, also identifying and pointing out some shortcomings that should be resolved by the organisers of future editions.
The cost of the event, even if it is not yet known the final figures, will be well over 50 million lire, which honestly seem too much if referred to a single event and it is likely that a good 25% of this year's expenditure is due to haste and a certain improvisation caused by the very short time.
The lack of appropriate country names was noted, sometimes making it difficult to identify floats and groups belonging to similar countries in terms of language and customs.
Television coverage did not live up to expectations, not so much because of a lack of technical means, but above all in terms of commentary and direction. While bearing in mind that to offer a flowery course on TV that gives the best of itself would require colour, it must be acknowledged that viewers saw the course, the floats and the surrounding environment in an incomplete and very superficial way, but saw glimpses, unfortunate shots and close-ups that were not always appropriate. Probably also the incorrect positioning of the cameras, an excessive distance between the groups and the wagons and the slowness of the parade had a negative effect.
The flowery course, being essentially spectacle, requires a timely and energetic direction in the interventions and arrangements that must be carried out without discussion; in this edition, on the contrary, it seemed more concerned with discipline and order than with image and spectacle.
The flowered floats appeared oversized, with development in height, but their beauty was appreciated better looking at them from above the stands than from the level of the pavements and the majority of the spectators could not fully admire their splendour.
It would be a good idea to decide whether the event should remain faithful to the Sanremo tradition or whether it should become a parade of flowery floats designed for television filming, but you cannot lose sight of the main feature of the event: Sanremo's flowery course, getting carried away by turning it into a folklore show for the benefit of the TV. Folklore and television must remain at the service of flowers, not become their protagonists: a flowery folkloric course could be organised in any location, but here, where floriculture is a very important factor in the economy, the main role is rightfully played by flowers.
It is perhaps advisable that future editions see a flowery course more typically Sanremo, with targeted international participation, keeping an eye on costs that should not exceed certain limits: the age of the mastodontic floats of flowers is approaching sunset and their effectiveness in terms of propaganda is close to decline.
The architecture of the floats, of more or less acceptable taste, must not prevail over the floral component, just as folklore must play the simple role of accompaniment; the flowery course of Sanremo cannot become a predominantly technical product, but must return to being an artistic event that can enhance the wonderful flowers of our land.

(News extracted from "L'ECO DELLA RIVIERA" of Sunday 23.01 - Thursday 27.01.1966)