The vertical dance performance promoted by the Municipality, with the War Memorial as the location, sparked a vehement reaction from the Como section of the National Alpine Association. The first to lash out against the artistic performance organized by the Teatro Sociale and staged last night (it will also be held today at 7pm and 10pm) was the past president of the Ana Lariana Enrico Gaffuri who branded as “an abuse the use of the War Memorial as if it were a theater or an arena”. «It would already be more than enough to have to put up with the many tourists literally “slouched” on the steps eating sandwiches and drinking beer – Gaffuri then added -. Now we also have to witness dance performances along the stone walls of the Karst which recall incredible sacrifices. That same stone that over a hundred years ago received the blood of many children who never returned home.”
But there also came the harsh reprimand from the current president of the ANA of Como, Adriano Crugnola, for years at the top of the national ANA: «We are, to say the least, shocked and angry, to use a euphemism, at this very provocative choice on the part of the Municipal Administration which in a title of the event “The City between future and movement” outrages the past – underlines Crugnola -. For us Alpines first and foremost, but for all citizens who feel like true Italians, the Monument is not a rock gym or a place for entertainment. It is the indelible memory of those who gave their lives for their country.” Then the jab at the mayor Alessandro Rapinese: «Following my interlocution he replied that he is not a bigot, he has no idea who the Alpine troops are and how much they already do for the city of Como and beyond. We only hope that we still have the moral strength to continue doing so for our beloved capital, since even the Alpine troops in their availability have limited patience.”
For his part, the mayor Alessandro Rapinese rejects the criticisms and complaints about the lack of respect: «No one respects those who have served the country to the extreme like myself – his words – but I find nothing offensive in a dance show at the War Memorial. A monument which, in truth, is humiliated much more often by drug dealers and illegal immigrants who use it to relieve themselves but I have never heard the Alpine troops complain about this.” The mayor then adds: «I am happy – adds Rapinese – that the Alpine troops demand respect for that space, but I do not find it absolutely disrespectful what has been organised, already done previously on other monuments to the Fallen, but also on churches and cathedrals and elsewhere. I’ve never heard any controversy about it.”
Similar shows have been held, for example, in Venice, but also in large capitals such as London. And he continues by saying: «If the Alpine troops are outraged, let them help us protect and preserve the monument from those who truly humiliate it by using it as a latrine or to smoke a joint. Actions for which they have never complained, while now they do it for a dance.”
