The Day of the New 18-Year-Olds, organised annually by the Municipality of Bagnaria, is a moment of celebration and reflection dedicated to young people coming of age. The event represents a symbolic passage in civic life, where the new adults are welcomed with a copy of the Italian Constitution and a book on local history.
In the picturesque setting of Bagnaria, a small municipality nestled in the hills of the Oltrepò Pavese area, the traditional ‘Day of the New 18-Year-Olds’ was held, a symbolic and heartfelt event that the municipal administration organises every year to officially welcome young people who have just come of age. This year, in the Council Chamber of the City Hall, Mayor Mattia Franza, flanked by councillors Dino Tambornini and Claudio Fascioli, welcomed the youngsters born in 2006, in a ceremony that, while maintaining a formal tone, managed to convey closeness and warmth.
The honoured protagonists of the day were Alessia Moglia, Luca Pedemonte and Samuel Pedemonte, young people who are now fully entering adult life, and who received from the mayor‘s hands a copy of the Italian Constitution, a gesture of great symbolic value, accompanied by a commemorative parchment and a book dedicated to the history of Bagnaria, tangible evidence of the municipality‘s love for its roots and traditions.
The Day of the New 18-Year-Olds is not just a symbolic celebration, but a meaningful event. It represents a crucial moment of reflection for young people, who are entering a phase of life characterised by new responsibilities. Indeed, the official coming of age marks the assumption of civil and political rights, but also the obligation to fulfil duties towards the community.
In his speech, Mayor Franza emphasised the importance of this moment, expressing his wish for the young people of Bagnaria to feel an integral part of town life and inviting them to actively participate. ‘Today we celebrate your entry into active citizenship,’ he said. ‘This is an important milestone, not only for you, but for our entire community, which welcomes you with open arms. The Constitution that we are handing over to you represents the founding principles of our country: the rights, yes, but also the duties that you must carry with you from today.’
The decision to accompany the Constitution with a book on the history of Bagnaria added a further layer of meaning to the day. It is not just a symbolic gesture, but an invitation to get to know and appreciate the past of one‘s own territory.
During the ceremony, the recurring message was the importance of civic engagement. Being an aware citizen means not only knowing one‘s rights, but also understanding and respecting the responsibilities that come with them. The mayor, together with the councillors and city councillors present, encouraged young people to participate in community life, starting with an active knowledge of local and national institutions.
This event, now an annual appointment, is confirmed not only as a festive occasion, but as a passage of personal and civic growth. The young people of Bagnaria were invited to build a better future, treasuring the values transmitted by previous generations and contributing, with their ideas and enthusiasm, to the wellbeing of the community.
