• Italy News
  • Italian politics
  • Books on Italy
  • Travel
    • Italy Travel Links
  • Italian food
    • Italian Wine
  • Good Italian Things
  • Italy
    • Italian music
    • Art
    • Life in Italy
    • Italians
    • Italian Design
    • Language
    • Events
    • Milan
    • Speeding fines
  • Property for Sale
  • Home
  • Most Read
  • Shop
    • Alex Roe’s Photography
  • About
    • Blog View
    • Contribute
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Centre
    • Privacy Preferences
      • Privacy – Complaints
      • Privacy – Data Rectification
      • Privacy – Right to be forgotten
      • Privacy – Copy of Data
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookies

Italy Chronicles

The Italy You Don't Know

Home » Good Italian Things » Barga’s Day of Friendship – Community Spirit in Tuscany

Barga’s Day of Friendship – Community Spirit in Tuscany

May 22, 2014 by Jenny M Want

On May 17th, Barga’s Solidarity Week (La Settimana della Solidarieta) drew to its close; a week of varied activities to celebrate the work of the GVS (Gruppo Volontari della Solidarieta).

GVS banner photo jenny Mead
GVS banner
photo jenny Mead

The GVS is an association which works with people of all ages, many with disabilities. Its underlying ethos is one of friendship, sharing and inclusion, and so tries to address many of today’s problems which increasingly give rise to intolerance, exclusion, indifference and bad behaviour

The children invite you to join in. Photo Jenny Mead
The children invite you to join in.
Photo Jenny Mead

The Day of Friendship (La Giornata dell’Amicizia) took place on Friday May 16th. In the Fosso area, just outside Barga’s medieval walls, people gathered for the Walk of Friendship (La Camminetta dell’Amicizia); local civic and religious dignitaries, the GVS President, some of the Alpini, the young flag throwers and drummers of Gallicano, members of Barga GVS and its volunteers, the children from the local kindergarten and primary schools, plus many others from day centres etc around the area. There were even two Italian Para-Olympians, Sara Morganti and Stefano Gori.

The Walk of Friendship Photo Jenny Mead
The Walk of Friendship
Photo Jenny Mead

To the beat of drums, the Walk set off from the old town to the Giardino area of Barga. Flag throwing displays, speeches, presentations and games followed, with everyone involved.

The flag throwers perform & the games await. Photo Jenny Mead
The flag throwers perform & the games await.
Photo Jenny Mead

I, both as an observer and a participant (as a GVS volunteer) was struck most by the fact that everyone was involved. From early childhood people are encouraged to participate with and celebrate everyone, regardless of differences. In fact, differences, themselves, are celebrated. I can’t help wondering, and asking, why this doesn’t happen in the UK? What a less divided and divisive country it could perhaps be.

I still can’t quite fathom what brought us here to Barga, but am happy and fulfilled that it did, if only to see how “insieme” (together) a society can be and next year I hope to be here for the whole of Solidarity Week and not just its final days.
By Jenny M Want

Jenny M Want
Jenny M Want

For Jenny, living in Italy is a dream come true. A retired teacher, she now lives in scenic Barga in Tuscany with her partner David.

Immersed in Barga life, Jenny passes her time writing, researching, observing and learning.

Jenny has written a fun book for children set in Barga, Tuscany – The Bat of Barga.

Note: Italy Chronicles may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase something through links in articles on this website. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Recently Added

An example of Milan's architecture - The red topped UniCredit Tower

Explore Milan’s Architecture with this Book

Visit Florence and see the magnificent Ponte Vecchio

Where to Get Trenitalia Tickets for Your Tour of Italy

Read More on Italy Chronicles

  • Learning Italian?
  • Autumn and Winter Food
  • Good Italian Things
  • Italian News
  • Italy How to’s
  • Images of Italy
  • Italian Wine
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestmail

Filed Under: Good Italian Things Tagged With: Barga

You are logged in. Thank you for subscribing.
Thank you for subscribing
Previous article: Gallucci & Gilmour Now Looking in Northern Italy
Next article: A Bougainvillea Doorway in Italy by Allen Beatty

The Latest on Italy Chronicles

  • Explore Milan’s Architecture with this Book October 24, 2019
  • Where to Get Trenitalia Tickets for Your Tour of Italy January 10, 2019
  • Frangelico – Have You Tried it? If not, do. December 17, 2018

Antiques on ebay USA

International Money Transfer

Compare & Save up to 5% on your Currency Transfer! Get a Quote Now!

Follow ItalyChronicles.com

Italy Chronicles – facts, news, events and expat life in Italy

Italy Chronicles
on Google+

Copyright © 2021 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Menu
  • Italy News
  • Italian politics
  • Books on Italy
  • Travel
    ▲
    • Italy Travel Links
  • Italian food
    ▲
    • Italian Wine
  • Good Italian Things
  • Italy
    ▲
    • Italian music
    • Art
    • Life in Italy
    • Italians
    • Italian Design
    • Language
    • Events
    • Milan
    • Speeding fines
  • Property for Sale