The 5th World Conference of Garibaldi Lodges was held in Nice from 26 to 28 September 2014, organized by the Garibaldi Lodge No. 317 (Nice), that is, under the patronage of the Grand Provincial Lodge Alpes-Méditerranée (GLPAM), and with great support and significant participation from the National Grand Lodge of France (GLNF) itself.
The delegation of the Lodge “Svetlost Balkana-Garibaldi” and the RGLS comprised Brethren M.E. and V.B.Ž. This now traditional annual gathering of the Garibaldians was attended by Garibaldi Lodges from France, Italy, Serbia, New York, Greece, Brazil, Argentina and Cyprus.
A particular contribution to this year’s Garibaldi Conference was also made by the City Administration and high officials of the city of Nice, in their wish for this gathering to have also the character of an homage to Giuseppe Garibaldi (the great revolutionary, patriot and hero of two worlds), as well as to their city, Nice, where Garibaldi was in fact born in 1807. In view of this fact, the National Grand Lodge of France (GLNF), the Grand Provincial Lodge and the city of Nice welcomed and extended hospitality to the Garibaldians from all over the world at the highest level.
The ceremonial opening of the Garibaldi Conference was organized in a distinguished edifice — the Villa Masséna in Nice — where a welcome address was delivered by the Mayor of Nice, Mr Christian Estrosi (a former minister in the French Government).
The Conference, with the presentation of invited papers, was also held at the Villa Masséna. The presidency of the Conference comprised the Grand Master of the GLNF, Bro. Jean-Pierre Servel; the Grand Master of the GLPAM, Bro. Dominique Charpentier; Anita Garibaldi Jallet; and our Brother V.B.Ž. After the opening greetings of the Grand Masters, addressed to all the participants of this year’s Garibaldi Conference, Bro. B.Ž. presented his paper “The Messages of Garibaldi”, which met with general interest among those present.
A particular honour was shown to the RGLS delegation, as representatives of one of the oldest Garibaldi Lodges in the world, with mention of the RGLS as a significant Masonic Obedience in Europe.
