70 years after the flood, Lecco for Polesine in the "Night of Miracles"

It was November 16, 1951 when the then Mayor of Lecco, Ugo Bartesaghi, left for Cavarzere (VE) together with a team of fishermen and their boats. It all began on November 14, when a strong flood caused the Po to overflow, whose banks were already compromised by the Second World War which ended a few years earlier. The swollen river inundated the surrounding territories, destroying entire towns and there was an immediate call for help throughout Italy.

From the night of November 16th was the phone call requesting help which Lecco immediately followed up by leaving with trucks and boats towards Cavarzere. The typical flat bottom of the boats used to sailing in the waters of the lake proved to be ideal for a flooded area, effectively allowing the boats not to get stuck in the rubble with the aim of saving property and human lives, in what was defined by the press “The Night of Miracles”. They were difficult days, which marked the history of Cavarzere and Lecco which still today, 70 years after the event, wants to remember that event, the generosity of the fishermen and the people of Lecco and the willpower and quick spirit of Ugo Bartesaghi .

“70 years after the tragic Polesine flood – underline the Mayor of Lecco Mauro Gattinoni and the deputy mayor, councilor for culture and social cohesion Simone Piazza – Lecco remembers the generosity of its fellow citizens who in those days did not hesitate to provide timely aid and assistance to people in difficulty. With gratitude and gratitude we organize a day dedicated to the memory of the "Night of Miracles" with an institutional moment for the commemoration of the fishermen of Pescarenico together with the Civil Protection and in an evening to keep the memory of the commitment of the citizens of Lecco alive even in the new generations ”.

The Municipality of Lecco, with Il Giglio, the Civil Protection and the I Promessi Sposi in Circolo Association, therefore organizes for Wednesday November 17 a “Day to remember the Night of Miracles”: in the morning at 10 in Piazza Era an institutional and commemorative moment will take place at the Cippo which in Pescarenico commemorates the feat of 1951 and the inauguration of the new vehicle of the Civil Protection of Lecco, which will then meet citizens and students. in the evening, from 21pm, the appointment is at Palazzo delle Paure, in Piazza XX Settembre, 22, Lecco, with a moment of storytelling and debate to delve deeper and learn about the events of that 16 November 1951.

To participate in the evening, reservations are required by calling the tel. 0341 481124 (from Monday to Saturday from 9.30 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 18.00) or by writing to adults.biblioteca@comune.lecco.it. Entry is permitted with a valid green certification and mask.