Workers' voices resound in San Donato Val di Comino

The calendar marks May 1, a date that all over the world is synonymous with the struggle and demand for workers' rights. In San Donato Val di Comino, this day takes on a special significance, linked to a historical event that has marked the community. It was 1908 when, for the first time, Labor Day was celebrated within the ancient walls of the village.

The initiative, full of passion and determination, was promoted by a group of local artisans, men who shaped the material with their hands and contributed to the economic and social fabric of the town. Among them were the brothers Salvatore and Enrico Fabrizio, Gaetano Gallo and Pasquale Tempesta, names that local history has consigned to memory as pioneers of a movement that was emerging and growing throughout Italy.

The demonstration was a success, an explosion of popular participation that colored the streets of San Donato with the symbols and chants of the working class. Opening the procession was a group of young people waving the red flag, the banner of an ideal of justice and equality. They were followed by workers, peasants, artisans, men and women of all ages, united by an awareness of their dignity and a desire to make their voices heard. 

The notes of the Workers' Hymn, a song of battle and hope, wafted through the streets of the village, accompanied by the music of the local band, whose brass and woodwinds punctuated the determined pace of the procession. A human river meandered through the old houses, silent witnesses to centuries of history, but now protagonists of a new chapter. 

The heart of the celebration was Carlo Coletti Square, a place of meeting and exchange, where the rally was held. Passionate speakers took turns at the microphone, bringing forward the demands of the world of labor, the demands for better conditions, fairer wages, a more just future. Words that inflamed spirits and ignited hope. 

The day ended with a striking torchlight procession, a sea of lights that illuminated the night and symbolized the strength and determination of the workers. It was a moment of great emotion and participation that strengthened the sense of belonging and the awareness of being part of a larger movement.

To inform the population and invite them to actively participate in the demonstration, a poster, a proclamation urging abstention from work and the demand for their rights, was posted at various places in the country. "Workers! Tomorrow May 1, Labor Day, consistent with your dignity as conscious and emancipated workers, abstain completely from work." Words that still resonate with strength and relevance today.

This story, told with passion and rich detail by Rufo Mario, gives us a vivid and engaging picture of a crucial moment in the history of San Donato Val di Comino. An event that testifies to the strength of the labor movement and the ability of the local community to unite and fight for its rights. A valuable legacy that continues to inspire new generations.