The press conference presenting "L'Esercito Combatte", a national-level initiative of the Italian Army in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), which includes a series of events aimed at spreading the culture and historical knowledge of the First World War to remember the identity process and the role played by the Army in creating the spirit of national unity, while maintaining alive, the memory and the commemoration of all the fallen.
To present the project, the mayor of Lecce dott. Paolo Perrone together with the head of the general affairs department of the Army General Staff, General of the Giuseppenicola Tota division who illustrated in detail all the initiatives.
The activity will start the next 21 May from Piazza Sant'Oronzo to emphasize - said General Tota - the strong link between the Army and Puglia, with particular reference to the Salento capital also in the light of the contribution that, in terms of human lives, the whole of the south and Puglia in particular, gave to the First World War. Among other things, the city of Lecce hosted the first Military Academy of the West.
From Saturday 21 in Lecce until Wednesday 25 in Padua, a series of events (exhibitions, bands and fanfare concerts, conferences, museum activities) will frame the entire event involving the whole Peninsula. In particular, to increase the involvement with the world of school and contribute to the creation of an identity spirit, there will be 11 delegations composed of soldiers and students who will leave from as many places throughout Italy (including major islands), to complete a shared cultural journey which will end in 11 shrines and military cemeteries where they will be able to see up close what they studied on the school desks, and on the documents of the historical office of the army staff.
Joining the thought of General Tota, the mayor of Lecce thanked the Army for choosing the Puglia region for the initiative by dedicating a special thought "to the sacrifice of all Salento and Puglia during the First World War. Even today, many young people from our region dedicate their lives to the Army and this project is an important opportunity to reflect and remember those many small and great gestures of heroism of our fellow citizens who lost their lives for the Fatherland".
The program of events in the city of Lecce foresees, in Piazza Sant'Oronzo, the 21 May:
- at the 9.30 flag-raising ceremony
- display of Army vehicles and materials;
- exhibition of historical memorabilia, tables on the 1 ^ GM, reinterpretations of scenes from the 1916 Army with personnel in historical uniforms;
- "Army and youth" in the square with helicopter piloting simulators, rock face, de-mining robot in action;
- military fitness, an obstacle course for all ages.
- at 10.00 the inaugural event at the Castle of Charles V - Sala Maria d'Enghien, with the presence of the Chief of Staff of the Army, General of the Army Corps Danilo Errico;
- at the 11.30 departure of the Apulian delegation of young students of the State Technical Institute Grazia Deledda and of the State Commercial Technical Institute Francesco Calasso of Lecce and soldiers of the Pinerolo Brigade.
- the evening of 21, at the Politeama Greco theater, theatrical show "Le parole degli eroi" with Massimo Reale and Manuela Mandracchia. An artistic and cultural immersion in the reality of 100 years ago, conducted with lightness, but also with due respect for the drama of the commemorated events.
Tickets for free entry can be collected at the Teatro Politeama Greco in Lecce, the 21 May starting from 10.00 until seats are available.
