Alpine forces spearheaded by Biella and the Adunata take the forefront for tomorrow's operations.
Preparing for Tomorrow's Spectacle: The Alpine Parade in Biella
Tomorrow, the streets of Biella will burst with pride as over three hundred men and women of the Alpine troops march in this year's parade. Kicking off the event will be the resounding fanfare of the Taurinense Alpine Brigade, playing and singing the march of the Piedmontese conscripts.
Leading the pack, under the command of Colonel Daniele Simeoni, will be the 3rd Alpini Regiment, cutting an imposing figure in combat uniform. The company of honor, the 35th Alpini of Pinerolo, will be at the forefront, under the leadership of Captains Luca Cairoli and Alessandro Crepy. The march will be marked by the war flag, one of the most decorated in the corps, symbolizing the elite units' involvement in modern international missions.
Immediately following the 3rd Alpini Regiment will be a company from the "Solarolo III" course of the Alpine Training Center of Aosta. Led by Captain Alessandro Marino, this group consists of the parade's youngest participants, with an average age of around twenty years. These aspirant Alpine soldiers began their basic training on April 10th last year, and they'll be sporting white training helmets. The Alpine hat will only be theirs to keep after they pass the challenging twelve-week course, a memorable occasion marked by a solemn ceremony.
At present, nineteen-year-old Emaniuele Castiglia from Gaglianico and the Sicilian Aurora Lucia Villani stand out among the participants, ready to make their mark.
Distinguished guests participating in the event will include the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, and the Minister Guido Crosetto.
A Recognizable Presence: The Alpine Units
The Alpini Corps, the Italian Army's specialist mountain infantry, will be myriad in the Biella parade. The Alpini, first established on October 15, 1872, are the world's oldest active mountain infantry unit, initially formed to protect Italy's northern borders. With their motto "Sempre Prima" ("Always First"), they embody courage, tenacity, and a spirit of sacrifice, both in times of peace and war[1].
Easily identifiable by their distinctive black feather ("penna nera") adorning their hats, the Alpini's feather denotes rank and service status, uniting members across generations, from veterans to youth, in shared gatherings[1]. The 96th National Gathering of the Alpini in Biella from May 9 to 11, 2025, marks the city's first time hosting this event[1]. By celebrating the Alpini's memory, identity, and brotherhood, this event underscores their symbolic role as bastions of hope amidst the current global uncertainties and conflicts[1]. As we gather to witness the parade, we pay tribute to this enduring legacy of resilience and unity that the Alpini represent in Italy.
The Scheduled Parade
The sixth sector schedule is as follows: the Civil Protection 1st Grouping, Imperia, La Spezia, Savona, and Genoa, Aosta will follow in order. Then Piedmont takes center stage, marked by Ceva, Mondovì, Cuneo, Saluzzo, Pinerolo, Val Susa, Acqui Terme, Asti, Alessandria, Casale, Torino, Domodossola, Intra Omegna, Novara, Valsesia, Vercelli, and Ivrea. Closing the parade at 7:30 PM will be Biella and "Arrivederci con Genova 2026," a fitting farewell to this unforgettable event.
- The youngest participants in the Alpine Parade in Biella, who have an average age of around twenty years, are currently undergoing their basic training and will be identifiable by wearing white training helmets.
- In 2026, the city of Genova will be the focus of the sports world, serving as a fitting conclusion to the Alpine Parade in Biella.
- The 35th Alpini of Pinerolo, a distinguished company of honor in tomorrow's parade, will be among the soldiers commanding the Piedmontese conscripts during the resounding fanfare played by the Taurinense Alpine Brigade.
