Report on the Municipality of Guastalla’s Activities in 2025

Report by Ms. Maria Luisa Farina, the Municipality of Guastalla, Italy

1. January 2025 — Joining Mayors for Peace. In January 2025, the Municipality of Guastalla formally joined the international network Mayors for Peace, a global association of cities committed to promoting peace, disarmament, and education in nonviolence.

2. February 2025 — Joining the anti-war awareness campaign “Ripudia” promoted by Emergency, with banners displayed on public municipal buildings and those of the Union of  Bassa Reggiana Municipalities

3. April 2025 — Commemoration for the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Italy, the Municipality organized a series of cultural and civic events to celebrate the memory of the end of the Second World War and to reaffirm anti-fascist values. The program included the Freedom Parade and the inauguration of a historical map on Fascism and the Resistance, with the aim of strengthening historical awareness and the value of democracy among citizens.
https://www.instagram.com/comunediguastalla/p/DI0xUFtN4yj/
https://www.instagram.com/comunediguastalla/reel/DI4X-ngNQlh/

4. May 4, 2025 — Participation in the ‘A Shroud for Gaza’ campaign and motion for the recognition of the State of Palestine. The Municipality of Guastalla joined the social campaign ‘A Shroud for Gaza,’ a national initiative to raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, aimed at remembering the civilian victims and calling for a commitment to peace. In the same days, a council motion was approved to support the recognition of the State of Palestine, emphasizing local commitment to human rights and international peace.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWUDS1DOfa/

5. September 5, 2025 — Demonstration in support of the Global Movement to Gaza and Global Sumud Flotilla + Peace and Human Rights Coordination. In September, Guastalla hosted a public demonstration of solidarity and support for the Global Movement to Gaza and the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international civil society initiative that sought to break the blockade on Gaza with boats carrying humanitarian aid and symbols of peace. Furthermore, in September 2025 The Municipality of Guastalla participated in the coordination with the municipality of Reggio Emilia on peace and human rights.

6. October 4, 2025 — First Peace Festival: “The Galleries of Peace” On Saturday, October 4, on the occasion of the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi (patron of peace), Guastalla inaugurated the first edition of the “Peace Festival,” called The Galleries of Peace. The event — featuring meetings, workshops, art exhibitions, debates, and documentary film screenings — transformed public spaces such as the Gonzaga Gallery and the Church of San Francesco into spaces for dialogue, reflection, and creativity on the themes of peace, rights, and memory. Invited experts, artists, and witnesses brought to life cultural programs open to the entire community.
https://www.instagram.com/comunediguastalla/p/DPdzw-EjUuN/
https://www.instagram.com/comunediguastalla/p/DPMaTjvjTqG/

7. October 18, 2025 — Peace March of Union of Bassa Reggiana Municipalities On October 18, the Peace March took place in Guastalla, promoted together with the other municipalities of the Bassa Reggiana Union (UBR). The initiative saw the participation of citizens Associations and institutional representatives in a public path to reaffirm the collective commitment to nonviolence, solidarity, and social cohesion in the community.
https://www.instagram.com/comunediguastalla/p/DQAKlJvjR2q/

8. November 12, 2025 – Screening at the Municipal Library di Palazzo Frattini of the film “Ukrainian Lyric” by Francesca Mannocchi about the war in Ukraine, as part of the series “Through – Peace, global citizenship, and rights” promoted by Arci Reggio Emilia.