81st Annual Alpini Festival
This weekend was the weekend that hosted the 81st Annual Alpini Festival in Bassano del Grappa in the northern region of the Veneto.
The "Alpini", directly translated meaning "The Alpines", were and still are an elite mountain fighting group of the Italian army. The Alpini were initially created in 1872 with the sole purpose of protecting Italy's northern border in the Alpine Mountains.
Through the years, the Alpini have slowly been disbanded as the need for them has slowly been diminished with modern military needs. However, every year, the veterans as well as currently enlisted members gather in an Italian city or town and host a weekend long celebration, complete with food, music, and A LOT of wine. This whole celebration is a bit strange. When I was speaking to some vets that seemed to be about the same age as my grandfather, they were quite eager to talk about the fact that they could be called into action at any moment and prefer to think of themselves as "in reserve" rather than "retired".
This year, I would estimate that the members arriving from all over Italy numbered in the thousands, if not ten-thousand. They brought with them to the tiny city of Bassano cheese, salami, wine, and sprits from their respective area from which they are from. The public also turns out in full force for this celebration. Don't expect to get a hotel...there won't be any to be found. My suggestion is to rent a trailer or camper and sleep in that. Some friends of mine found refuge in the back of a pick-up and spent the weekend sleeping in sleeping bags.
All in all, it's an experience and a relatively good time. It's almost like Oktoberfest, but on a smaller, 3 day scale. If this type of thing isn't for you, then definitely do some research as to where the next one will be. Each year the city changes and for 3 days, the city shuts down while the Alpini are in town. It's an experience, and in my opinion a good one. Just make sure to dress accordingly for the cool, mountain nights.