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Alfa Romeo brought a comprehensive
production model line up to the show,
displaying the 147, 159, Brera and Spider,
the cars arranged in a row on the immaculate
lawns. |
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His Excellence, the Ambassador of Italy,
Dott. Gaetano Cortese (next to car); with
(from left to right) Sign. De Tomasso
(representing of the Italian Embassy),
Signor Aris Spada (organiser of the best of
Italy promotions), Mr. Oger Lussink (Italian
Fashion promoter, representing top class
men's fashion shops in main towns in
Holland), Mr. Lars van der Veen (salesmanager
of Kroymans Maserati Hilversum) and Mr. Han
Akersloot, (PR and Marketing consultant for
Maserati and Alfa Romeo in Holland). |
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Alfa Romeo and Maserati represented the
Italian automotive industry during the
event, with highlights being the Maserati
Quattroporte and Alfa 8C Competizione, the
latter in particular drawing a constant
stream of admirers the whole time. |
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Maserati and
Alfa Romeo took centre stage as the two brands
participated in one of Holland's most popular lifestyle
events, the Italian-themed Taste of Italy, held
last weekend in the splendid grounds of the beautiful
Castle of De Haar in Haarzuilens, in the centre of the
country. This event has become something of a tradition
for Dutch people who enjoy Italian products and the
style of living, and this year was being held for the
fifth time.
His Excellence, the Ambassador of Italy for Holland,
Dott. Gaetano Cortese, made a special visit to the show
and visited the Maserati stand amongst others, along
with Sign. De Tomasso, also representing of the Italian
Embassy, Signor Aris Spada, the organiser of the best of
Italy promotions, Mr. Oger Lussink, Italian fashion
promoter and award winner of the Mondo Italia Award
for the best promotion with Italian products, who was
representing top class men's fashion shops in main towns
in Holland. His Excellence, dott. Gaetano Cortese,
naturally keeps control of the steering wheel when
driving and enjoys driving cars including an Alfa 159
2.2 JTS, a Lancia Thesis and a beautiful Lancia Ypsilon.
The event was deemed to be a huge success, and during
the three days it was open to the public a record number
of more than 25,000 visitors walked around the castle in
the lovely weather and made visits to all the typical
Italian-oriented special product counters set up in a
long line of canvas-covered stalls. There were stalls
set out for special foods and wines, fashion, houses in
Italy, Italian cars and scooters, and holidays in Italy.
Alfa Romeo and
Maserati in Holland represented the Italian automotive
industry during the event, with highlights being the
Maserati Quattroporte and stunning new Alfa 8C Competizione,
the latter in particular drawing a constant stream of
admirers the whole time. Alfa Romeo brought a comprehensive
production model line up, displaying the 147, 159, Brera and
Spider, the cars arranged in a row on the immaculate lawns,
while the imminent world première of the exciting new Mi.To
was reflected in backdrop posters.
The medieval
residence De Haar was founded in the course of the
fourteenth century, on sediment deposits along a blind arm
of the river Rhine, and it was simply the perfect venue to
host Taste of Italy. The first references to
the castle date back to 1391. De Haar, however, is really
special because - more than 100 years ago now - it was
entirely restored and partially rebuilt, resulting in a
restoration unparalleled in Europe. This involves not only
the architecture, but also the interior and the gardens.
Even the church and the village were involved in this
project so that, without exaggeration, one could say it is a
'Gesamtkunstwerk' (integrated work of art): this is the
creation of a unique, special, world in which all aspects of
man's creative talents could flourish.
De Haar already had its current, large pentagonal ground
plan in the fifteenth century. It probably got this shape
after the castle was destroyed in 1482 as a result of the
quarrels between the Bishop and the city of Utrecht.
After this, the castle was rebuilt, but in the course of the
eighteenth and nineteenth century it fell into disrepair.
The ruinous condition came to an end as from 1890, when the
young owner baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nijeveltdecided to
have the ancestral castle restored in grand style. In 1892
the first activities at the castle started. In a few years
time an impressive castle would arise by incorporating the
existing, still high-rising, fifteenth century walls.
Nowadays the result can be viewed by anyone who wishes to
visit.
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