TRIESTE The feathers of the Bersaglieri move in the wind. The different sections, berets on their heads, are distributed diligently, awaiting the order to leave.
The band in Piazza Unità in Trieste for the 36th rally of the Italian infantrymen
Sunday 26 May: already in the early hours of the morning, everything is ready in Piazza Unità: the final day of the 36th national gathering of Italian infantrymen can get underway.
The event – which had not taken place since 2018 and falls on the seventieth anniversary of the return of Trieste to Italy – is attended by thousands of people and began on Friday, with the arrival of the “Tricolore del Rally” at the Audace pier. .
The sight is truly singular: in the center of Piazza Unità the Italian sections of the infantry enliven the ceremony, complete with a grandstand set up in front of the Prefecture.
Next door, positioned between the banks and the remaining free corners, the public watches the show in admiration. Among those present there are also many tourists, most of them off the two cruise ships docked at the Bersaglieri pier.
National rally of infantry in Trieste, massing for the parade
«Trieste was the crossroads of a twentieth century dripping with blood», states the president of the national infantryman’s association Gianni Stucchi. «We are here to pass on what we have received to the new generations – continues Stucchi – and to ensure that Italy can always be great and free».
At 11.30, slightly earlier than scheduled, the “parade” begins. At the head are the infantrymen with the banner dedicated to the Unknown Soldier; behind them, a long trail moves in the direction of Piazza Ponterosso. The banners crowd via Bellini, greeted with applause upon their arrival.
After the passing of the “Flag of the Rally” to the section of Palermo, the next city to host the event, the rally ends at 6pm, with the lowering of the flag in Piazza Unità.
Looking at the effects of the event on city traffic, the disruption to traffic was minimal.
As regards the transit bans, from 2pm onwards transit through the Rive section which has been closed since the morning is allowed again; the same goes for via Genova, via Mazzini and piazza della Borsa.
