Parma Section Alpini Gathering

The Gathering of the 'Penne Nere' in Monchio delle Corti

The Parma Section Alpini Gathering is the major annual event that brings together the Groups of the A.N.A. Parma Section and thousands of 'penne nere' from all over the province and beyond. Each edition is hosted in turn by a different municipality in the Parma area: in 2026, the honor falls to Monchio delle Corti, a small mountain village in the upper Apennines, in the Province of Parma (Emilia-Romagna), nestled within the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park.

For Monchio delle Corti, this is not an absolute novelty: the village has previously welcomed the Parma 'penne nere' on the occasion of past sectional gatherings, and the bond between the valley community and the Alpini is deep and rooted. The Parma Section, through its official channels, announced the event with a slogan that has become a call for all Groups: "Monchio awaits us for the Sectional Gathering".

Three Days of Alpini Festivities

The Sectional Gathering follows a proven format that repeats year after year, adapted to the characteristics of the host municipality. The program typically spans a long weekend, from Friday to Sunday, featuring:

• Official ceremonies: flag-raising, laying of a wreath at the monument to the fallen, honors to the flags and pennants of the Groups.
• The parade: the central moment, with the Alpini Groups marching through the village streets, preceded by fanfares and sectional banners.
• Holy Mass in the field, celebrated in suffrage of the Alpini who have "gone before".
• Alpini choirs and fanfares: the Parma Apennines boast historic choirs like the Coro Alpino Monte Orsaro of the Parma Section, who are protagonists of the evenings.
• Convivial moments: gastronomic stands and the famous "Panino dell'Alpino" (Alpini Sandwich), an occasion for meeting and solidarity open to the entire citizenry.

A Tradition That Lives Through the Territory

The Sectional Gathering is not just a re-enactment or a parade: it is an opportunity that brings life, visitors, and attention to mountain villages like Monchio delle Corti, which are far from major tourist flows. For three days, the village transforms, houses are decorated with the Italian flag, and the entire valley participates. It is also a moment of strong civic and solidarity value, consistent with the vocation of the National Alpini Association, which has always been involved in civil protection and volunteer work.

Those who visit Monchio delle Corti during these days will find, in addition to the festival, a territory of extraordinary beauty: glacial lakes, trails in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park, and authentic mountain cuisine made with traditional Emilian mushrooms, cured meats, and cheeses.