Trieste26 June – Yesterday afternoon, in the historic City Council Hall of Trieste, the award ceremony took place honorary citizenship to the Friuli Venezia Giulia Regional Command of the Guardia di Finanza. The event underlined the importance and contribution of the Guardia di Finanza to the Trieste community, also celebrating the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Corps.
The official ceremony
The ceremony was preceded by a solemn moment in the Blue Lounge of the Town Hall, where the signatures were placed on the Golden Book of the Municipality of Trieste. Furthermore, during the morning, a ceremony was held on Colle di San Giusto to commemorate the 250 years since the foundation of the Guardia di Finanza.
Prominent figures from local and national institutions participated in the ceremony in the City Council Hall. Among these, the mayor Roberto Dipiazzathe prefect of Trieste Pietro Signoriellothe commissioner Pietro Ostuni and the regional councilor for Security Pierpaolo RobertiAlso present were the commanders of the Provincial and Regional Armed Forces and approximately 20 soldiers of the Guardia di Finanza of various ranks, led by the regional commander, Division General Giovanni Avitabile.
Commemoration speeches
The President of the City Council, Francesco Pantecaopened the extraordinary session with a minute’s silence in memory of the financiers murdered in Trieste in 1945. “On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Guardia di Finanza, I express profound gratitude to the mayor and all the city councilors because they wanted to support the the resolution conferring honorary citizenship on the Guardia di Finanza was unanimous,” declared Panteca, underlining the strong bond between the city of Trieste and the Guardia di Finanza.
Mayor Dipiazza’s speech
Mayor Roberto Dipiazza gave a passionate speech, recalling the historical and contemporary importance of the Guardia di Finanza: “This year marks the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Guardia di Finanza, an institution that over the years has always sought to renew and evolve, without never forget your values and origins. This award is evidence of the appreciation of the institutions and the entire city community towards you. You are the backbone of the country and if you work well, the country works.” Dipiazza also remembered the sacrifice of the Trieste financiers in May 1945, underlining the heroism and dedication of the Corps.
Reason for the provision
The honorary citizenship was conferred with the following motivation: “As a sign of gratitude and appreciation of the institutions and of the entire city community for the fundamental role played by the Guardia di Finanza in Trieste since the first return of the city to Italy in 1918 and for the heroic acts carried out by many financiers during the Second World War, even at the cost of their lives, which earned them the gold medal for Military Valor and the gold medal for Civil Merit to the Corps Flag symbols of supreme sacrifice and unwavering commitment.”
The words of Commander Avitabile
The Major General Giovanni Avitabile expressed his emotion and gratitude: “I express to you my great emotion of pride in being in this prestigious Hall representing the Guardia di Finanza, which on its 250th anniversary receives honorary citizenship from the Municipality of Trieste. This recognition gives prestige to the body and demonstrates how much the service rendered by thousands of financiers who have worked in this land, sometimes even finding death, is appreciated.”
History and tributes to the Financial Police
During the ceremony, Mayor Dipiazza presented the certificate of citizenship and the Seal of Trieste to Commander Avitabile. As a sign of thanks, Avitabile donated to the mayor the special coins of the Guardia di Finanza, minted for the 250th anniversary, and a pin for each member of the chamber.
The Guardia di Finanza has been present in Trieste since 27 November 1918, when the first financiers took on the task of supervising the port and public order. During World War II, over 200 financiers stationed in Trieste were disarmed and imprisoned by Tito’s forces. This sacrifice was recognized with gold medals for Military Valor and Civil Merit.
Continue reading the Diario FVG news and follow our Facebook page
