Century-old Walser camaraderie unites Ornavasso and Naters communities
Upcoming Visit of 800 Swiss Citizens from Naters to Ornavasso
Tomorrow, Ornavasso, Italy, will welcome approximately 800 Swiss residents from Naters, Canton of Valais. The twinning between these two towns dates back to the 1930s, forged over the Toce valley, which is home to a Walser colony, one of the lowest-altitude Alpine colonies established by six young couples who migrated from Naters in the late 1200s to escape a local feudal lord's customary "right of the first night."
The Teutonic influence in Ornavasso is evident in place names, preserved Walser culture, and the community's ties to the Alpine colonists' descendants, who gather every three years for an international rally. In 2022, Ornavasso hosted this event.
Originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to the pandemic, the "Freundschafttreffen," a friendship meeting that takes place every five years alternately in the Valais and the Lower Ossola, was planned to honor the Naters visitors in Ossolan village. Unfortunately, health measures imposed to curb the virus's spread necessitated the cancellation of the event. The proposed event has now been revived, according to the mayor of Ornavasso, Filippo Cigala Fulgosi.
The day's program includes a parade at 9:30 in the town center, featuring over 40 local and Swiss groups and associations. At 10:30 AM, Mass will be celebrated by the Bishop of Novara, Franco Giulio Brambilla, in Piazza XXIV Maggio. The procession will continue to a tent for lunch with 1,200 guests, where Ornavasso's rescue service volunteers will offer entertainment during the evening.
Alpine climbers, scouts, and musicians from Naters will join the twinning festivities, participating in exercises, hikes, and performances by the alpine rescue teams, oratories, and bands. In the afternoon, musical and folk groups will animate three squares in the town center. Before lunch with traditional Piedmontese dishes, the mayor will honor two friends from Naters with citizenship. The honors will go to Corinna Jossen, a long-time supporter of fundraising campaigns, including the kindergarten, and Bruno Escher, the municipality of Naters' secretary and a band member.
The twinning between Ornavasso and Naters represents a significant cultural and historical bond between the two municipalities. Twinning is a form of international cooperation involving the establishment of official relationships between towns or cities from different countries, often based on shared values, cultural similarities, or historical ties. These relationships focus on fostering mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation.
For further information, contact local authorities or follow updates from local news sources and event pages on social media platforms.
The Swiss visitors from Naters are expected to embrace the lifestyle and outdoor-living ambiance of Ornavasso during their visit, considering the town's Walser culture and Alpine descendants' influence. After the cancellation of the friendship meeting in 2020 due to the pandemic, home-and-garden squares in Ornavasso's town center will host musical and folk performances by the communities from both towns.
