Cuneo enters the European Federation of Napoleonic Cities.

Saturday November 30 Cuneo will formally join the European Federation of Napoleonic Cities (FECN), association that brings together cities linked to the story of Napoleon Bonaparte. The adhesion ceremony will take place, starting from 10.30 in the Hall of Honor of the Municipality of Cuneo, in the presence of Vincent Chauvet, President of the Federation, the Honorary President Charles Bonaparte, the Mayor of Cuneo Patrizia Manassero, and the Deputy Mayor Luca Serale.

Founded in 2004 by Charles Bonaparte, the Fédération Européenne des Cités Napoléoniennes (FECN) brings together more than 50 European cities whose history has been marked by Napoleonic influence. In 2015, the European dimension of its work was recognized through the certification of “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” for Destination Napoleon, an itinerary to promote and network the Napoleonic heritage.

Cuneo has, in fact, in its history, some pages with a Napoleonic imprint: After April 28, 1796 and the signing of the armistice of Cherasco by King Vittorio Amedeo III of Savoy, Napoleon's armies entered our city and remained there for three years. For example, the introduction of night-time public lighting dates back to this period. In 1799 the Austro-Russians besieged Cuneo and the French fled. But Bonaparte returned to Piedmont: by winning the battle of Marengo on 14 June 1800, he regained control over lower Piedmont and therefore over Cuneo, for almost fifteen years.

During the second French occupation of Cuneo the city walls were torn down, the first master plan was born, the first Civic Library of Piedmont, the first performance hall from which the current Civic Theatre Toselli arose, and obviously the cemetery, because Napoleonic burial regulations required cemeteries to be located outside the cities.

History recalls that on 12 August 1809, the convoy of Napoleon's soldiers carrying the captured Pope Pius VII passed through the city, greeted by the crowd. It was this Pope who, having been reinstated in 1814, On July 17, 1817, he proclaimed the birth of the Diocese of Cuneo. The Napoleonic story of Cuneo ended after the defeat of Leipzig, in October 1813, and the abdication of Napoleon. A few months later, Cuneo returned under the Savoy.

In order to enhance some historical, architectural and artistic elements, linked to that phase of the history of the city of Cuneo, it was considered effective to become part of this network of European cities. The Federation has in fact among its aims “the promotion of historical exchanges, the revaluation of the heritage of the Napoleonic era”. There are approximately 25 Italian cities that are part of it, including nearby Cherasco.

So on Saturday 30 November at 10.30:XNUMX in the Hall of Honour of the Municipality of Cuneo there will be the signing ceremony and delivery of the certificate of membership of Cuneo to the Federation. A round table will follow, with speakers including Eleonora Berti, Director of FECN – Destination Napoleon, who will talk about “The European Federation of Napoleonic Cities and Destination Napoleon: from local to European heritage”; Simone Percacciolo, responsible for the enhancement of the Royal Palace of Milano will give the example of “Destination Napoleon at the Royal Palace of Milano", conductor Stefano Nigro will illustrate “Hidden Gems: a project to rediscover the music of the Napoleonic Court”. The floor will then pass to GB Mantelli, co-founder of Venchi, to reflect on the “involvement of local businesses”.

Emanuela Panke, President of Iter Vitis, Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, will talk about “Piedmont and Cuneo: Napoleon's wines”. Given the presence at this moment of some school children from the city, a dialogue between the students and the representatives of Destination Napoleon will follow. The event is open to the public.

“We are happy to become part of this European reality because we are convinced that we will receive useful stimuli to enhance a piece of our history and to compare ourselves with other experiences”, comments the Municipal Administration, which involves in this initiative, in addition to to the Mayor Patrizia Manassero, the Deputy Mayor Luca Serale with responsibility for international relations, the Councilor for Culture Cristina Clerico and the Councilor for Tourism and Events Sara Tomatis.

"Cuneo may be physically isolated, but its relationships with realities beyond the border are many and enriching. And being part, from now on, of Destination Napoleon, one of the prestigious Cultural Itineraries of the Council of Europe, represents for our city a significant achievement of cultural enhancement and visibility, which will have positive repercussions, on a cultural, touristic and economic level.".

Thus President Vincent Chauvet and Honorary President Charles Bonaparte"The European Federation of Napoleonic Cities and its Destination Napoleon Itinerary certified by the Council of Europe will support the Municipality and local institutions in promoting the urban itinerary, to create an urban narrative in the footsteps of Napoleon and his time, allowing visitors to understand the link between the city, Napoleon and Pope Pius VII, exiled by the emperor. You will also discover how the gianduiotto and the hazelnut spread, typical products of the Cuneo area, owe their origins to Napoleon.".