The celebrations were attended by the Carabinieri squad in full dress uniform and by the highest civil and military authorities of Genoa and province.
Military parade organized to commemorate military forces and war victims
Every 4th of November Italy remembers the Armistice of Villa Giusti, which came into force on the 4th of November 1918, which allowed the Italians to return to the territories of Trento and Trieste, and to complete the national unification process begun at that time.
On November the 4th World War I ended and, to honor the sacrifices of the soldiers who fell in defense of the homeland, on November 4th 1921, the burial of the Unknown Soldier took place in Rome.
Although the ‘Unknown Soldier’ is buried in Rome, events all over Italy celebrate this military who symbolizes all the lives lost at war and never fully recognized for what they did.
Exactly one hundred years ago, November 4th was declared a national holiday (although in present days it is no longer considered a bank holiday) as this day was intended to be dedicated to remember, in a special way, all those who, even very young, sacrificed their life for an ideal of homeland and attachment to duty.
Values unchanged over time, for the military of that time and those of today.
The event began early in the morning with the raising of the Italian flag, followed by a Holy Mass for the fallen at war which was celebrated by the Military Chaplain in the cathedral. The military units then gathered and lined up and the event followed with the memorial ceremony, a sort of military parade which started under the Arch of Victory and ended at the war memorial with the deposition of flower garlands and laurel wreaths in honor of the deceased military.
Among the initiatives planned for the day were also those organized by the Carabinieri who opened the doors of their stations to citizens and offered them guided tours explaining their day-to-day work to protect the city and its surrounding areas.
One of the police stations one could visit on this occasion was the one located inside the San Giuliano fort, the historic seat of the carabinieri and a gorgeous site overlooking the sea.
Not only the Armed Forces hosted the event but also the Italian Red Cross, the Fire Brigade and the Regional Civil Protection.
Many were the workshops organized for children as well and the most fun was perhaps the one organized by the Fire Department which had children pretend to be firemen for the day, handing out helmets and toy firemen kits so they could learn something about the trade.
This year the military parade in Genoa was dedicated to peace due to the war in Ukraine.
Genoa’s Mayor gave an emotional speech right after the parade and mentioned the absurdity, the immorality not only of this war, but of all wars, and the defeat of reason and humanity that every war entails.
He also stated that we all should be grateful to the many women and men who serve our homeland for their presence, commitment, dedication to service and, above all, for choosing to build. their future and their families in our community.
Additional flower garlands were set down this year at the war memorial for the soldiers falling at wars across the globe and a military salute accompanied with a cannon shot closed the ceremony.
