Sirmione hosts the 10th national gathering of Alpini veteran bands on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, together with Peschiera del Garda. The event brings together the bands of the Taurinense, Orobica, Tridentina, Cadore and Julia Brigades. It is organised by the national headquarters of the Associazione Nazionale Alpini (ANA, the National Alpini Association), in collaboration with the ANA Salò “Monte Suello” Section, founded in 1926. The gathering is part of the celebrations for the Section’s centenary.
Saturday 24 October: Peschiera del Garda and Sirmione
At 14:30 in Peschiera del Garda, the flag-raising takes place at the headquarters of the local Alpini group. Music in piazza d’Armi follows, then tributes to the fallen at the Alpini monument, accompanied by the Cadore Brigade band.
At the same time in Sirmione, in piazza Rovizzi, a tribute to the fallen Alpini is held at the monument created by veteran Angelo Dal Prà, with the Tridentina Brigade band “A. Morandi”.
The rest of the day in Sirmione runs as follows:
- 15:00: the Julia Brigade band plays a walking concert in piazza Mercato, in Colombare di Sirmione.
- 16:00: the official flag-raising of the gathering in piazza Porto, with the Orobica Brigade band. A parade through the streets of the historic centre follows, with tributes to the fallen at the Campana di San Pietro in Mavino.
- 17:30: the Taurinense Brigade band performs in piazza Carducci.
- 20:00: the Grand Concert of the Brigade Bands at the Congress Centre in piazza Europa closes the evening, with all five bands together.
Sunday 25 October: the closing parade
Participants gather at 10:00 in via Diaz, in Sirmione, where the parade of the bands sets off towards piazza Porto. There, honours are paid to the Gonfalone, to the Banner of the ANA Salò “Monte Suello” Section and to the National Standard of the Associazione Nazionale Alpini. A wreath is then laid in memory of the fallen at the Marinai monument. Official speeches, performances and a display by the Tridentina Brigade band follow, before the flag-lowering.
What the organisers and mayors say
Luisa Lavelli, mayor of Sirmione, says: “We are grateful that Sirmione was chosen to host this important gathering.” For Maria Orietta Gaiulli, mayor of Peschiera del Garda, the two municipalities share the honour of hosting the Alpini bands.
Sebastiano Favero, national president of the ANA, says: “The bands are a voice of our identity.” Sergio Poinelli, president of the ANA Salò “Monte Suello” Section, recalls the Section’s centenary year. National councillor Carlo Fracassi, who oversees choirs and bands for the association, thanks the Section for its organisational work. The event is held under the patronage of the municipalities of Sirmione and Peschiera del Garda.
