Il Sorriso di Angela

A walk that is an embrace

In Castello di Arzignano, a hillside hamlet of the Municipality of Arzignano in the province of Vicenza, there is an event that every June brings hundreds of people together in the name of remembrance and solidarity: Il Sorriso di Angela. The event was created to remember Angela Vignaga, who passed away in August 2020 at just 16 years old, and to keep her smile alive through a simple, shared gesture: walking together.

Through the streets of the medieval village

The non-competitive walk takes place in the evening – "under the stars" – and offers routes of varying lengths through the streets and paths of the charming village of Castello, dominated by the Scaliger fortress (Rocca). The routes are suitable for everyone, designed for families, groups of friends, and walking enthusiasts, who can choose the most convenient distance.

Solidarity and refreshments at the Rocca

At the end of the route, participants gather at the Rocca for refreshments and to share a moment of celebration. The initiative is promoted by the Associazione Il Sorriso di Angela (The Smile of Angela Association), which donates the proceeds to charitable causes, transforming an evening of walking into a concrete gesture of solidarity for the community of Arzignano and the West Vicenza area.