Sirmione’s 50 Years of Commerce: Recognition and Future Initiatives
On a November day in 1951, half a century ago, the first commercial license was issued in the historic center of Sirmione. Within a few weeks, the municipal office located in the building of Piazza Carducci (later used for cultural events) granted a handful more licenses.
It was a time of grief and consternation across Italy due to the disaster in Polesine. Some residents of Sirmione remember that displaced families arrived in the town, hosted in the very few hotels available locally.
During those days, the Sirmione Merchants Association was also founded, although it was only in 1963 that it officially received its formal status with the establishment of its first board and president. This half-century, during which Sirmione truly experienced a radical transformation, turning into one of the most renowned and esteemed tourist destinations globally, will be celebrated with an evening that promises to be special.
Program and Commemorations
The event will include the presentation of numerous recognitions and five plaques to as many businesses (some of their owners, alas, have since passed away); the evening will conclude with a fireworks display. These are the most significant moments. The gathering is scheduled at «Ancora d’Oro» on November 22, in the presence of authorities and guests.
However, as rightly pointed out by the current president of Ascom Sirmione, Raoul Negri, the celebration will be especially dedicated to those merchants who, with sacrifice and skill, contributed to Sirmione’s economic growth in less than fifty years.
This achievement has allowed the association to become the largest in our province in terms of membership, second only to Brescia. Additionally, for the past year, an informational bulletin for the category has been published, becoming a point of reference and discussion with institutions and other entrepreneurial categories.
Future Projects and Remembrance of Historic Figures
An «information white paper» on the current state of the sector is also in development, with publication expected by the end of the year. Collaboration with hoteliers, Municipality, and Società Terme continues. The current board includes, besides President Negri, Bonacini, Bussi, Brunelli, Busti, Pintacorona, Zeni, Zennaro, and Maffezzoli.
The objectives for the upcoming year include increasing membership, participating in the scheduled events calendar, organizing two major events at the beginning and end of the season to celebrate, next year, the 50th anniversary, improving banking service percentages to mitigate euro introduction difficulties, and supporting solidarity initiatives.
On November 22, the figures who contributed to the town’s greatness will be remembered. Among them, a prominent place is occupied, without question, by the late Danilo Rossi, the first and historic president of Ascom for an impressive 25 years.
He was succeeded by Salvatore Pupello, a former Carabinieri marshal, followed by Beppe Mellini and Roberta Bisoli. Negri recalls that the first meeting of the board took place at the Hotel Touring in Colombare (a new office building is now being built on its site), in the presence of Rossi and the honorable Titta Meneghini, who had already left Maria Callas to follow Aristotele Onassis.
