Genoa: in Piazza Portoria the commemoration of the Balilla
“What the inse?”, “What begins it?” Are the words with which the December 5, 1746 gave way to the popular uprising of the Genoese against the Austrian invader.
A key event in the history of the city – and in the Italian imagination from the Risorgimento onwards – and which this year will be remembered through the commemoration of the Balilla, the young man who, according to historical reconstructions and the stories handed down by the Genoese, threw the first stone by pronouncing the iconic phrase.
And if historians still wonder about his real identity – the most accredited hypothesis continues to be the one that identifies the Balilla with Giovanni Battista Perasso – its legacy in Genoese culture and identity is still and still relevant today.
For this reason, on Sunday 5th December the tradition is renewed and the appointment is at 10.30 in Piazza Portoria.
Where it all began, where the traditional commemoration will be held in the presence of the councilor for major events Paola Bordilli, the president of the East Center Municipality Andrea Carratù, the president of the Culture Commission of the East Center Municipality Marco Ghisolfo.
“Even this year – says the commissioner for major events Paola Bordilli – and commemorate a gesture that we wanted to help shape the identity of us Genoese and a figure who, between myth and reality, represents our essence: a resilient and proud people, able to respond with strength and courage to great challenges. At the time of the Balilla the Austrians, today Covid and all that derives from it. We learn from the past in order to face the present and the future. I am happy with how we have worked in recent years so that this day is enhanced to make it, just like the Balilla, more and more a moment of remembrance of values and identity of which to be proud for all Genoese.“.
“The gesture and the figure of the Balilla – adds the president of the Central East Municipality Andrea Carratù – have permeated the Italian culture and not only the Genoese one and it is also mentioned in the fourth verse of our national anthem, that Canto degli Italiani by Goffredo Mameli of which all of us must know more than just the famous part. The Balilla must be remembered and his gesture must continue to remind us who we are and what we can do in moments of crisis ».
The Sestrese Philharmonic will play the Mameli Hymn during the celebration.
“The proposal to establish the “Genoa Day”” – explains Marco Ghisolfo, Councilor and President of the Culture Commission of the Central East Municipality – has seen our Municipality as a convinced promoter it represents the historical Genoa: they are because they are: I am convinced that by continuing to value our symbols and our history it will be easier to pass the baton of our values to future generations“.
Following the deposition of the crown and the commemoration in the presence of the authorities which will be held from 10.30 in Piazza Portoria, a long historical procession will start that, along via Fieschi, piazza Dante, piazza De Ferrari and via san Matteo, will arrive in piazza Matteotti where actors and extras will give life to the re-enactment of the gesture of the Balilla.
To continue a day dedicated to tradition and discovery, from 3.30 pm it will be possible to participate in guided tours dedicated to the Rebels of Genoa, a journey to discover all the rebels who have animated Genoese history.
There have been many revolts and conspiracies that have seen the Superb protagonist. The most prominent families did everything to grab power and the armed clashes sometimes had truly unsuspected implications. The visits will take place in three slots at 3.30pm, 4pm and 4.30pm and can be booked on the website www.exploratour.it .
The itinerary includes a departure from MaddAlive, near the church of the Maddalena 20r and includes: piazza Corvetto and monuments to Mazzini, Mameli, Bisagno and Jose Martì; Pammattone and Balilla; piazza Dante and Fieschi; De Ferrari and 25th April; St. Matthew and Coppetta; Archbishopric and infamous columns; San Lorenzo and Matteotti.
The commemoration of the Balilla and the guided tours dedicated to the Rebels of Genoa are part of the Mazzinian Days, established to enhance the history of the city and the iconographic heritage linked to Giuseppe Mazzini.
Here is the program of December 5th and 10th.
Wednesday 8 December:
from 09.30
Mazziniano Institute – Museum of the Risorgimento
6.30 pm Extraordinary opening of the museum
4.00 pm Tribute to Mameli from Bellini in Leoncavallo.
Concert of the Ligurian Camerata Musicale: on this occasion the guitar that belonged to Giuseppe Mazzini will be played.
For info and reservations, [email protected], tel. 010 5576431 More information on www.museidigenova.it, www.visitgenoa.it
Friday 10 December
Deposition of laurel wreaths from the Municipality of Genoa in memory:
Cippo di Mameli – Giardini dell’Acquasola House of Mameli – Largo Sanguineti Birthplace of Mameli – Piazza San Bernardo
09.30 Acquasola Park
“Walk of dissolution of the vote”, historical / evocative procession of 10 December 1847, the day of the first public performance of the Canto degli Italiani.
Departure of the procession that recalls the events of 10 December 1847 with the participation of a musical band of the boys of the Sandro Pertini school.
Route: Acquasola Park – Salita Santa Caterina – Marose Fountains – Via Garibaldi – Via Cairoli – Via Lomellini – Piazza dell’Annunziata – Via Balbi – Principe – Salita della Provvidenza – Salita Oregina, up to the Sanctuary.
By the GenovApiedi Association – [email protected]; www.genovapiedi.it
10.45 am Sanctuary NS of Loreto, Salita di Oregina
Performance of the pupils of the Primary School “X December” – IC Lagaccio 11.00 am Holy Mass (subject to availability of places in compliance with anti-contagion regulations)
At the end: Traditional ceremony of the Dissolution of the Vow with lighting of a candle to the Madonna
Following: in the square in front of the Sanctuary, deposition of the crown at the tombstone of the Fallen Authorities interventions.
