Ligonchio (Reggio Emilia), August 7, 2026 – “There is still the little house where my dad was born, that is the square where the Germans lined us up against the wall during the war, down at the end of the street, in that white little house, I was born there.” The beloved places of Iva Zanicchi are all here. In a crescendo of emotions, Zanicchi Day arrived yesterday, full of memories and emotion. It is 4:15 PM when in the ancient village of Vaglie (a hamlet of Ligonchio, a former municipality that in 2015 merged with Busana, Collagna, and Ramiseto to form the municipality of Ventasso) the celebrations began with the inauguration of the first plaque. “I love people in general, I am always curious to meet new ones. I am very happy about these honors that come from my land to which I am very attached. The more the years go by, the more I become like this.”
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Iva Zanicchi confesses: “If I hadn’t become a singer, I would have become a professional writer”
“If I hadn’t become a singer, I would have become a professional writer.” She has written five books and – in each of them – Zanicchi has spoken about her people, her mountains, and her roots. The Eagle also tells her story to the cameras of “La vita in diretta” (RaiUno) which broadcast the event live on TV. It is just past 5 PM when the celebration moves to the center of Ligonchio for the unveiling of the second plaque: “Welcome to Ligonchio, the hometown of Iva Zanicchi.”
The greeting from Mayor Ferretti celebrates Iva Zanicchi: “She climbed the mountains of a success spanning over 60 years”
The greeting from Enrico Ferretti, mayor of Ventasso, the Pro Loco Val d’Ozola, and all the authorities and institutions gave life to a day full of events. Many arrived, braving the heat and traffic, to meet a legend who belongs to the history of music. It is a warm embrace that the mountain community reserves for its most famous daughter, the one who – by virtue of her talent – climbed the mountains of a success spanning over 60 years, through music, concerts, television, and theater. The words of Mayor Ferretti perfectly echo what is written on the parchment conferring honorary citizenship to the artist from Ligonchio. “It is a sign of recognition and gratitude for the constant bond maintained with the territory and the local community.”
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“She gave a prestigious contribution to culture and music”
But the institutional moments also leave room for flattering words addressed to the national Iva, from a human point of view. “She gave a prestigious contribution to culture and music, also demonstrating generosity and human and social sensitivity, throughout her life and artistic career.”
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