by Guisela Chiarella & Nina Vaclavikova
The city of Trieste marked the conclusion of its annual “Alpini Hat Week” on Saturday afternoon with a ceremony honoring young volunteers who have completed their initial training with the Italian Army’s Alpine troops.
The event, held in Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia, included the presentation of the traditional Alpini hat with feather, a symbolic emblem of the elite mountain units. This year’s ceremony, the fourth edition of the event, recognized the young volunteers who completed their training at the Alpine Training Center in Aosta.
The celebration was attended by local officials, military leaders, and members of the public. Among those present were Trieste Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, Lieutenant General Lorenzo D’Addario, Major General Michele Risi, and the city’s Prefect Giuseppe Petronzi.
In his opening remarks, Mayor Dipiazza highlighted the historic connection between Trieste and the Alpini, emphasizing the city’s longstanding military and cultural ties to the region. “Trieste, for its complex history and its path back to the nation, is often described as the most Italian of Italian cities,” he said. “Our city and region share a deep bond with the Alpini, a bond built on history, values, and shared memory.”
The ceremony included a parade by the Reggimento di Formazione and the fanfare of the Julia Alpine Brigade, concluding with the lowering of the Italian flag. The event underscored the continuing role of the Alpini in Italian military tradition and their presence in civic life across the country.
