Small even among the world’s micro-states, San Marino is an enclave of 61 square kilometers in the Italian peninsula. Our history has its origin in 301 when San Marino, a stonemason from the Croatian island of Rab, established a small community on Mount Titan, on which stands the oldest republic in the world.
Our people have two mottos that derive from Latin: Libertas, which means “Freedom,” and Nemini teneri, which stands for “Do not depend on anyone.”
In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln accepted San Marino’s offer of honorary citizenship, stating in his letter, “Although your dominion is small, your State is nevertheless one of the most honored in all history.” Our neutrality is an asset for us, and we should eternally admire being free. The biggest mistake we could ever make is taking our freedom for granted as we think we got it without any obstacles. How ironic would that be? We couldn’t even imagine the resilience needed to protect our country’s independence.
Another irony is how we became known due to COVID-19, as San Marino has been one of the most affected countries compared to its population. Our people, who had never depended on other countries, joined hands with Italy, China, Japan, Poland, and the UK, with numerous other states also reaching out to us. I felt as if COVID-19 is showing me how San Marino could be in the future.
I am currently studying international relations at a graduate school in Moscow. I wish to become a diplomat to promote multilateral diplomacy with the pride of my people. Multilateral diplomacy requires kindness, effort, and an attitude of openness. My dream is to connect with other countries and stand up for common issues. I am both a Sammarinese and a global citizen. I dream of a world where all nations are friends, and San Marino can be one of the bridges to that end.
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