Trieste Commemorates 70th Anniversary of Rejoining Italy with Series of Events

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by InTrieste

On October 26, 2024, Trieste will mark the 70th anniversary of its return to Italy with a series of official events and cultural activities organized by the city and supported by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. A press conference held on October 16 detailed the program, which will highlight the significance of this historic milestone for Trieste’s identity and memory.

The celebrations will include a formal flag-raising ceremony in Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia at 10 a.m., followed by an official ceremony at City Hall with local authorities and veterans’ associations. The day will conclude with a flag-lowering ceremony at 5 p.m., accompanied by the military band Fanfara dei Bersaglieri.

A key cultural event is the reenactment of the historic “Roma-Trieste Relay” that commemorates Trieste’s return in 1954. The relay will cover the final segment from Redipuglia to Trieste, symbolically carrying a large Italian flag into Piazza dell’Unità.

In addition to the main events, a series of exhibitions and cultural programs will run until December. These include “Vola Colomba,” a historical exhibit at local museums, and theatrical performances and lectures reflecting on the socio-cultural landscape of Trieste from 1945 to 1954.

The anniversary will serve as a moment for the community to reflect on its past, honor the sacrifices made for freedom and democracy, and emphasize the importance of peace amid current global challenges.

Official Events on October 26, 2024

1. Flag-Raising Ceremony (Alzabandiera)
   • Time: 10:00 AM
   • Location: Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia
   • A symbolic flag-raising to mark the start of the official celebrations, in the city’s main square.
2. Ceremony at City Hall
   • Time: 3:00 PM
   • Location: Trieste City Hall, Sala del Consiglio Comunale
   • The event will feature speeches from city officials, including local authorities, military representatives, and veterans’ associations.
3. Flag-Lowering Ceremony (Ammaina Bandiera)
   • Time: 5:00 PM
   • Location: Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia
   • This ceremony will close the day’s official events, accompanied by the Fanfara dei Bersaglieri, a military band from Pozzuolo del Friuli.

Cultural Events and Exhibitions

A variety of cultural initiatives are scheduled around the anniversary, focusing on Trieste’s history and identity during the post-war period.

1. Historic Relay Reenactment: Roma-Trieste 2004-2024
   • Date: October 26, 2024
   • Route: Redipuglia to Trieste, finishing in Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia
   • Organized by ASD S. Giacomo, this reenactment recreates the historic relay, with participants carrying a 100-meter-long Italian tricolor flag into the city. The event commemorates Trieste’s liberation and reintegration into Italy.
2. “Vola Colomba” Exhibits
   • Dates: Through December 8, 2024
   • Locations:
     • Museo della Guerra per la Pace “Diego de Henriquez”: “Cronache triestine 1945-1954”
     • Palazzo Gopcevich, Sala Attilio Selva: “Lunario Triestino 1953-1954”
   • These exhibits explore Trieste’s turbulent period between 1945 and 1954, including personal stories and historical events, with extensive collections of photographs and documents.
3. Theatrical Performance: “Vola Colomba”
   • Date: October 30, 2024
   • Location: Teatro Bobbio
   • A theatrical reading of the play “Vola Colomba,” adapted from Pierluigi Sabatti’s autobiographical novel “Un Ottobre a Trieste.” The play reflects on the historical day of October 26, 1954, through a blend of personal memories and historical events.

Conferences and Lectures

Several academic and public discussions will focus on the historical and social importance of Trieste’s return to Italy.

1. Conferences: “A Settanta Anni dalla Seconda Redenzione”
   • Dates:
     • October 23, 2024 (Palazzo della Regione)
     • November 26, 2024 (Regional Council)
   • These conferences will gather historians and experts to discuss the geopolitical and social impacts of Trieste’s reintegration into Italy, including the creation of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.

Concerts and Artistic Performances

1. Concert by Les Babettes (Swing Music)
   • Date: October 22, 2024
   • Location: Ridotto del Teatro Verdi
   • The renowned swing trio Les Babettes will perform in Trieste for the first time, bringing 1950s-inspired music to life.
2. Orchestra Jazz Tartini Concert
   • Date: October 23, 2024
   • Location: Conservatorio Tartini
   • A jazz concert by one of the region’s premier music institutions.

Exhibitions and Documentaries

1. “Trieste è Italia” Photo Exhibition
   • Date: From October 21, 2024
   • Location: Palazzo della Regione FVG
   • A photographic retrospective on Trieste’s return to Italy, showcasing moments of the city’s historic reunification.
2. Documentaries: “I Nostri Giorni Americani” & “Le Ragazze di Trieste”
   • Date: October 21, 2024
   • Location: Sala 1954 at Teatro Rossetti
   • Documentaries reflecting on the period when Trieste was under American and Allied administration (1945-1954).

Additional Events

• Educational Workshops and Guided Tours: Throughout the anniversary period, schools and the public can attend workshops and guided tours at local museums and historical sites.
• Public Installations and Stands: Piazza della Borsa will host stands offering historical information, book presentations, and tricolor-themed memorabilia for visitors.