by Maxiiliano Crocamo
Interview: Pierpaolo Roberti, Regional Councillor for Local Autonomies, Friuli Venezia Giulia; Elisa Lodi, Municipal Councillor for Sport, City of Trieste
In a city that often describes itself as one of Italy’s most sports-minded communities, athletics are increasingly being used as a vehicle for social engagement and charitable giving. That spirit will be on display on December 23, when local sports associations come together for La Notte delle Stelle (“The Night of the Stars”), a charity event aimed at supporting two well-known foundations working with children and families in the region.
The initiative, organized jointly by the Torneo Città di Trieste association and Domio Calcio, was presented on Thursday at a press conference in Trieste. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Burlo Garofolo Foundation, linked to the city’s renowned pediatric hospital, and the Io tifo Sveva Foundation, which supports young patients and promotes awareness around pediatric illness.
Speaking at the presentation, Pierpaolo Roberti, the regional councillor for local autonomies, described the event as emblematic of a broader trend in Friuli Venezia Giulia. “Trieste and the region are often cited among the most sports-oriented areas in Italy,” he said. “What stands out today is how many sports associations are also committing themselves to social causes and charitable initiatives. La Notte delle Stelle reflects the values of the Christmas season, using sport as a means to support two institutions that have become deeply rooted in our community.”
The event will take place at the Domio sports complex and will unfold over the course of the day, combining youth tournaments, exhibition matches and fundraising activities. The program will open with the Xmas Cup, Domio Calcio’s traditional Christmas tournament, featuring teams in the Pulcini and Esordienti youth categories. These matches are expected to draw families and local supporters, continuing a long-standing tradition within the club.
Later in the afternoon, the focus will shift to an under-15 football match between Domio Calcio and a team composed of players from Servolana Basket, highlighting collaboration across different sports disciplines. The evening will culminate in a seven-a-side football match between Domio Calcio’s senior team and a select squad of top players from Serie A of the Torneo Città di Trieste, a competition that has played a central role in the city’s amateur football scene.
Also present at the press conference were Elisa Lodi, Trieste’s municipal councillor for sport; Erika Dessabo, the regional coordinator for Sport e Salute, Italy’s national sports promotion body; and representatives of the organizing associations and beneficiary foundations. All emphasized the importance of initiatives that extend beyond routine sporting activity and create opportunities for collective participation around shared social goals.
Mr. Roberti praised the organizers for broadening the scope of their work. “They have chosen to enrich their everyday sporting activities by proposing an initiative with real social value,” he said, calling La Notte delle Stelle an example of how local associations can mobilize communities in support of charitable causes.
The choice of date carries particular symbolic weight. December 23 would have been the birthday of Sveva, a young basketball enthusiast in whose memory the Io tifo Sveva Foundation was established. Over the years, the foundation has become a reference point for families and volunteers, using sport as a way to promote solidarity and resilience.
By combining competition, commemoration and fundraising, La Notte delle Stelle aims to reinforce Trieste’s reputation not only as a city passionate about sport, but also as one where athletic culture is closely intertwined with civic responsibility.
