Behind the political debates, the orchestras, the food stands and the three evenings of celebration lies, above all, a machine made up of volunteers. Around 150 people are involved in organising the 53rd Festa dell’Amicizia, the historic event held by the PDCS (Christian Democratic Party) that returns to liven up Piazza Bertoldi in Serravalle from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August.
A large group forms the engine of the event and, over the three days, will be busy in the kitchens, at the stands, serving, setting up and managing the various areas of the festival. The work begins before the doors open to the public and continues until the evenings close, allowing catering, political meetings, shows and activities for young people and families to run simultaneously.
This year the Festa dell’Amicizia reaches its 53rd edition, confirming itself as one of the longest-running fixtures on San Marino’s political calendar. “We have reached the 53rd edition of the Festa dell’Amicizia, an event that for over half a century has accompanied the history of the Christian Democratic Party and represents an important moment of encounter with our members, supporters and the whole citizenry,” the party notes.
“The Festa is first and foremost a chance to be together, to reconnect and to spend three evenings in a spirit of friendship and sharing,” explains political secretary Gian Carlo Venturini, “but it is also a moment to pause and reflect on the present and, above all, on the choices that lie ahead for the country in the coming years.”
Alongside the convivial atmosphere there will indeed be political discussion, hosted on the Terrazza Ex-Ritrovo. On Friday 21 August at 9.15pm the first debate will be dedicated to “San Marino after the signing of the Agreement with the European Union”, with political, trade union and business figures called upon to discuss the country’s prospects ahead of the signing of the Association Agreement.
On Saturday 22 August, again at 9.15pm, the focus of the evening will instead be healthcare, with the discussion “A stronger healthcare system for a safer community.” On Sunday 23, at 8.30pm, Venturini will present his closing political address in Piazza Bertoldi.
“The Festa dell’Amicizia is also a powerful moment of identity, showing how deeply rooted our party and the values it stands for are in our country. Through moments like this,” Venturini continues, “we express our way of doing politics: by listening to citizens and committing to serve the community with responsibility and a sense of the State.”
But the work of the roughly 150 volunteers will be especially visible in the event’s other great strength: the food stands and entertainment. On Friday, after the 6.30pm Mass at Serravalle’s parish church and dinner at 7.15pm, the programme includes an aerial dance performance by Virginia Martelli, a moment with dialect poet Checco Guidi, and the orchestra La Nuova Romagna Folk.
Saturday will feature the Sirene Danzanti by Mirco and Sandra along with the orchestras Mirco Gramellini & David Pacini, while Sunday’s closing act will be entrusted to the Rimini Dance Company and the Omar Codazzi orchestra. At Parco Dante Alighieri, meanwhile, there will be space for younger crowds with the Revolution Live Band on Friday and the Live Festival on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Throughout the festival there will also be exhibition stands, a wheel of fortune and inflatables for children. On Sunday evening, the final event will be the draw for the 2026 Lotteria dell’Amicizia, offering €3,500 plus other prizes.
Three days of events that therefore rest on one essential organisational element: the presence of volunteers, once again called upon to ensure the smooth running of the festival and its many spaces.
