60th Anniversary of the Alpini Group of Castelletto Merli

Sixty years of the 'Black Feathers' in Castelletto Merli

In the heart of the Monferrato region, amidst the vineyards and truffle-rich woods that define the hills bordering the provinces of Alessandria and Asti, the small town of Castelletto Merli celebrated one of its most cherished milestones in May 2026: the 60th anniversary of the local Alpini Group. Founded in 1966 and now part of the ANA Asti Section, the group serves as a cornerstone for the community of just over four hundred residents, upholding a tradition of solidarity, remembrance, and civic commitment that defines the 'Black Feathers' throughout Italy.

A weekend-long celebration

The festivities spanned two days. On Saturday evening, the town hosted a concert by the ANA Vallebelbo Choir, which performed a selection of mountain songs and traditional Alpini melodies in an intimate and heartfelt atmosphere. Sunday was dedicated to the official ceremony: the flag-raising, the arrival of the sectional banner escorted by the President of the Asti Section, Giorgio Gianuzzi, and a dozen council members, followed by the moving unveiling of a commemorative plaque inscribed with the words "In memory of those who have laid down their packs," dedicated to the Alpini who have passed away.

A grand community gathering

The day drew a large representation of the Alpini community and local institutions to Castelletto Merli. Attendees included representatives from the Turin, Alessandria, and Mondovì Sections, twenty local groups with their pennants, numerous mayors from neighboring towns, and Regional Councilor Federico Riboldi, representing the Piedmont Region. A particularly evocative moment was the participation of delegations from the nine Italian towns that share the name "Castelletto": Ticino, Cervo, Monferrato, Molina, d'Orba, d'Erro, Stura, Uzzone, and, of course, Merli.

Among vineyards and truffles: the Monferrato setting

Castelletto Merli stands on the heights of the Casale Monferrato area, dominated by its castle with a square tower and the parish church of Sant'Eusebio. It is an agricultural landscape dedicated to viticulture and truffle hunting, where events like this Alpini anniversary become an opportunity to reconnect, strengthen community ties, and pass on the values of a resilient and welcoming town.

Why this anniversary matters

• Celebrates sixty years of the Alpini presence in a small Monferrato town.
• Combines remembrance, music, and local festivities into a single weekend.
• Brings together Groups, Sections, and institutions from across Piedmont and beyond.
• Pays tribute to fallen Alpini with a permanent commemorative plaque.