Valle d'Aosta Festival

A symbolic event and a festival celebrating shared values

The Valle d’Aosta Festival was introduced by virtue of the regional law of 2006, under the provisions for the valorisation of theindependence and the control of the region's distinctive marks. The provision's objective was to give the right emphasis to thehistorically recognised and shared Val d'Aosta symbols andto identify moments of celebration and gathering that may be useful in spreading awareness of citizen's institutions, rights andduties with particular reference to the younger generations. The 7 September is the date chosen by the Valley Council for the diverse and converging historical meanings, associated to the anniversary of theenactment of the

longstanding 1945 decrees, the first formofValle d’Aosta autonomy following the Liberation. The Festival's key moment is the awarding of the 2 regional honorary awards. The first, “Amis de la Vallée d’Aoste”, confers honorary regional citizenship and Confrérie des amis de la Vallée d’Aoste membership to an Italian or foreign person who, through his/her work or presence, has increased theprestigeofthe region. The second, “Chevalier de l’Autonomie”, is granted to Valle d'Aosta citizens who stand our for their particular contributions in the sports,

culture, science art, economy, politics or social field. Alongside the above festivities, and in order to give life to the event, making the very most of its coincidence with regional capital's patronal festival, are art exhibitions: conjurers, mime artists, clowns, comics, jugglers and musicians now line the streets of Aosta's historic centre. A food and wine pavilion and a symphonic music concert accompanied the festivities during the last edition.