Initiatives for the August 2 anniversary

Every year, Bologna commemorates the station massacre with numerous events organised by the City of Bologna and the Association of the Victims’ Families, in collaboration with Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane.

Sunday 2 August 2026 marks the 46th anniversary of the Bologna station bombing, organised by the Committee for Solidarity with the Victims of Terrorist Attacks and the Association of Relatives to demand truth and justice and to reaffirm the values of peace. Among this year’s new initiatives is a collection of voice messages organised by Cantiere Bologna to create a shared heritage of remembrance, accompanied by posters designed by Sofia Marabello of the Academy of Fine Arts.

The day’s programme is divided into several key events:

• Early morning (6.30–8.30): Arrival at the Parco della Montagnola of the ‘Per non dimenticare’ (Lest We Forget) running and cycling relays. At the same time, a stand offering a special postmark and a commemorative postcard will be set up in Piazza delle Medaglie d’Oro.

• Official meetings (8.30–9.10): Mayor Matteo Lepore will meet with family members and officials at Palazzo d’Accursio, alongside Paolo Lambertini (chair of the Families’ Association) and Michele De Pascale (president of the Emilia-Romagna Region). At 9.10 am, the procession will set off from Piazza Nettuno towards the station, before returning to parade along Via Indipendenza.

• Formal commemoration (10.00 – 10.50): Speeches by Paolo Lambertini and Mayor Lepore will be delivered from the station stage, interspersed at 10.25 by the train’s triple whistle and a minute’s silence. This will be followed by the laying of wreaths in the waiting room and at the memorial stone to railway worker Silver Sirotti on platform one.

• Other ceremonies (from 11.00): Departure of the special train to San Benedetto Val di Sambro to also commemorate the victims of the Italicus and the Rapido 904. At the same time, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi will celebrate Mass in the Church of San Benedetto, and a wreath will be laid at the monument to taxi drivers at the CO.TA.BO. headquarters.

• Afternoon and evening: At 4.30 pm, a four-team football tournament will take place in Casalecchio di Reno. The day will conclude at 9.15 pm in Piazza Maggiore with a concert by the Orchestra and Choir of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna (who will perform the winning pieces from the 2 August Composition Competition), followed by a screening of the documentary film “A mezzanotte pensami”.