The Convention of Trentino Circles of North America is back starting today, September 5 in Pinzolo. Participants of the event organized by ITTONA (International Tyrolean Trentino Organization of North America) number 205 and the program includes a full immersion in Trentino culture and hospitality, with performances, exhibitions, special events, and excursions.

Since 1974, every two years with the only exception of 2020 due to the pandemic, the Trentino Circles of the United States and Canada, meet in an always different location, to give life to their “Convention,” that is, an event lasting a few days, with cultural and recreational initiatives.

Organized by ITTONA in collaboration with Trentini nel mondo, this year's Convention returns to Trentino, following the one held in Trento in 2002. The echo of that Convention has never died down and the intention to repeat that experience has been constantly reiterated in all ITTONA meetings dedicated to the organization of Conventions.

Pinzolo was chosen as the venue for the Convention because emigration is a chapter that has marked the history of Val Rendena, from where many people emigrated and one of the most significant destinations was North America. There is no shortage of signs in Pinzolo that pay tribute to emigration, such as the monument to the “Moleta” (grinder) right at the entrance to the town coming from the south. Then there is a series of plaques placed in the pavement of Pinzolo's main avenue, commemorating the destination of migrants who left Trentino.

The 205 members belong to fifteen Trentino Circles active in the United States and Canada: there are 101 women and 104 men. The largest delegation, with 49 participants, is from the Trentino Circle of Solvay (United States).

The highlight will be Saturday, Sept. 7, in the morning, with a greeting from the authorities and six papers, which will touch on topics of particular interest to participants: Giuseppe Ferrandi, director of the Museo storico del Trentino, will talk about Trentino at the time of the great migrations, between the late 19th and early 20th centuries; tourism and nature in the area where the convention takes place will be the focus of the talk by Samantha Pellizzari (Tourist Board) and Michele Carè (Adamello Brenta Park); the initiatives put in place by the Autonomous Province of Trento for emigrants and their descendants will be illustrated by Ileana Olivo; journalist Paolo Magagnotti will trace the history of the Convention while Archbishop Emeritus of Trento, Msgr. Luigi Bressan will recall some prominent religious figures of Trent origin from the United States and Canada; “If the Lake Could Talk. The Last Clashes of the Italian Campaign on Lake Garda” is the title of the talk curated by Ben Appleby and Antonella Previdi of the Benach Association.

Among the many appointments on the calendar are the show “Victor's Victoria” (Thursday, Sept. 5, 8 p.m.) in which the daughter of Victore Mature (Hollywood actor son of emigrants from Val Rendena) talks about her relationship with her father; the parade through the streets of Pinzolo of Rendena-bred heifers, in which two representatives from each of the attending clubs will participate (Saturday, Sept. 7, 4:30 p.m.); the concert “Maramao. Songs between the two wars” by Matteo Ferrari (Saturday, Sept. 7, 9 p.m.); the ‘polenta picnic’ that will conclude the event (Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m.).