by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Caterina de Gavardo, Marcelo Medau – Capogruppo di Fratelli d’Italia, Paolo Tutta e Vanessa Cason – Trieste Trasporti
The city of Trieste on Tuesday held its annual ceremony honoring the “nonni vigili,” or “vigilant grandparents,” senior volunteers who help ensure children’s safety outside schools.
The event, hosted in the City Council chamber, was attended by the city’s councillor for public safety policies, Caterina De Gavardo, deputy commander of the local police, Paolo Jerman, municipal councillor Marcelo Medau, and board members of Trieste Trasporti, the city’s public transport company.
As part of the ceremony, 50 volunteers received free annual bus passes from Trieste Trasporti. The initiative, which began in 2017, aims to support seniors who assist children and families during busy school hours by providing them with transportation across the city.
“This year we count 50 nonni vigili, including seven newcomers and several who have been serving for nearly two decades,” Ms. De Gavardo said. “They have become indispensable figures for our community, setting an example of civic commitment while ensuring the safety of children.”
The program, originally promoted by Councillor Medau and backed by Trieste Trasporti, was described as an example of cooperation between municipal offices, law enforcement, and the city’s transportation service. “We were able to guarantee their presence from the first day of school,” Mr. Jerman said.
Board member Paolo Tudda, speaking on behalf of Trieste Trasporti president Maurizio Marzi Wildauer, praised the continuity of the initiative, which provides what locals colloquially call bus passes for the “nonni paletta” — a reference to the small handheld stop signs used by the volunteers.
At the close of the ceremony, each volunteer was formally presented with their transit pass, underscoring the city’s recognition of their role in daily life around Trieste’s schools.
