Every year during the Riappignano dinner, around 200 participants, young and old, locals and emigrants, come together to enjoy the local traditional food and each other’s company. Over the grilled vegetables, pasta and salad they can share old and new memories. The income of the dinner always supports local associations and their activities. The tradition started 15 years ago to become now a truly unique event organised by fifty volunteers, 3 organisations and the municipality itself. Although arranging the event poses some challenges (such as tracing down elderly people, who have no internet connection), there are unforgettable moments that are worth all these efforts. During the last two decades, Appignano del Tronto has lost about 12% of its population. A lot of young people are leaving in search of work and a different future. Events like this clearly show that it is worth staying in a place like Appignano, or to come back for a fresh restart.
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There is a small square in Appignano, called Piazza dell’Emigrante. On this square stands a modest monument: a pole with the globe on its top, and colorful arrows pointing to different directions. On each arrow you can find the name of a city where “Appignanesi” have emigrated, with its distance from Appignano. As the locals say, the arrows are like open arms to shorten distances. The square with its monument is dedicated to all those who left, for those who will never return, and those who, one day, want to return. But this is not the only way former Appignano dwellers are celebrated here. Every August, in the main square of the town, people gather together for the so-called Riappignano dinner. There is a guest from Australia, another one arrives from Canada. Others are from France, Switzerland, or from not so far away in Rome. All of them lived in Appignano once but now live in other parts of the globe - but they’ve returned home to strengthen the bonds, to be together.
ITALY / Appignano del Tronto
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Return, remember, restart
