Corsican Delegation Visits Paoli To Honor General Pasquale Paoli

PAOLI, PA – Paoli is named after General Paoli's Tavern, which was a meeting point of the founders of the American Revolution and an homage to the "General of the Corsicans," General Pasquale Paoli of the Mediterranean island of Corsica.

And in an ongoing cultural exchange, a delegation from Corsica paid a visit to Paoli recently.

Gilles Simeoni, President of the Corsican Assembly, along with the Corsican Minister of Culture and the Minister of Tourism stopped by the Paoli Library Friday, April 6 to view the large bust of Paoli and a replica of his ceremonial sword given to the town in 1966 by the mayor of Morosaglia, Paoli’s birthplace.

In the absence of a town hall or a community center, Paoli Library serves as the center of town, so it has housed these mementos ever since.

The delegation's visit continues a long-standing relationship between the Paoli Business and Professional Association and the territorial government of Corsica.

Pasquale Paoli is Corsica’s national hero and second-most-famous native son—after Napoleon Bonaparte.

Paoli was a freedom fighter who helped win the island’s independence from the Republic of Genoa and served as president of the Corsican Republic during its brief existence from 1755 to 1769.

He was also the author of the republic’s constitution, considered to be the first ever democratic constitution, based on Enlightenment principles.

Although Paoli never visited America, he was an inspiration to the American revolutionaries, and so much admired in this area that an inn was named after him—and the town was named after the inn.

President Simeoni and his compatriots extended a heartfelt invitation to the residents of Paoli to visit the island of Corsica, to enjoy the crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches of the coastline, and the pristine creeks and granite cliffs farther inland.

Pictured above from left to right are Nanette Maupertuis, Foreign Minister; Gilles Simeoni, President of the Corsican Assembly; Josepha Giacommeti, Minister of Culture; Hyacinthe Vanni, Vice President of the Corsican Assembly; Catherine Sorba, documentary film director; Francis Beretti, past chair, University of Corsica English Department.

Image via Paoli Library