by InTrieste
Tens of thousands of spectators gathered this weekend at Rivolto Air Base in FVG to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Frecce Tricolori, the country’s famed national aerobatic team. The event, which drew about 50,000 visitors including international guests, combined aerial displays, historical exhibits, and cultural showcases highlighting the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Regional governor Massimiliano Fedriga, attending the second day of festivities, described the occasion as “historic for our territory and for Italy,” noting the long-standing ties between the community and the air base in Codroipo, home to the Italian Air Force’s 313th Aerobatic Training Squadron.
“The Frecce are a national pride that become international when they perform around the world, showing Italian excellence,” Fedriga said. Earlier in the day, the team flew over the Italian Grand Prix in Monza before returning to Rivolto for the closing exhibition.
The weekend program featured modern and vintage aircraft flyovers, a static display of aeronautical equipment, and interactive experiences for visitors. Exhibits traced the history of the 2nd Wing, housed at Rivolto since its founding a century ago, and included displays on Italy’s achievements in space exploration. Attendees were also able to test flight simulators and virtual reality headsets replicating aerobatic maneuvers.
Fedriga began his visit with senior Italian Air Force officials, including Chief of Staff Antonio Conserva and Combat Forces Commander Marco Lant, before meeting with Defense Undersecretary Isabella Rauti. Rauti signed the guest book, describing the 2nd Wing as a “glorious” unit that continues to provide technical and logistical support to the Frecce Tricolori and to Italy’s national defense.
Regional tourism body PromoTurismoFVG coordinated hospitality for the event, arranging accommodations for international aerobatic teams from Spain, France, Croatia, Poland, Finland, Switzerland, Turkey, and Latvia, as well as meals for about 800 participants. A dedicated pavilion showcased local food and wine, part of a broader effort to highlight Friuli Venezia Giulia’s cultural and culinary traditions.
Emergency services, including the Red Cross, firefighters, and civil protection volunteers, were stationed across the base to support the large crowds.
For many in attendance, however, the highlight remained the Frecce Tricolori themselves, whose tricolor smoke trails across the late-summer sky once again reinforced their role as a symbol of Italian identity and technical mastery.
