Rimini and Riccione commemorate 82nd anniversary of WWII liberation

Authorities in the Rimini and Riccione regions of Italy held ceremonies to mark the 82nd anniversary of the liberation of the area from Nazi-fascist occupation in September 1944.

In Riccione, officials from Italy and Greece gathered at the Hellenic Cemetery to honor the 146 Greek soldiers who died during the Battle of Rimini. The Greek mountain brigade, later known as the Rimini Brigade, played a crucial role in breaking German lines. The ceremony included the laying of wreaths and the playing of national anthems to honor the historical bond between the two nations.

In Rimini, commemorations included visits to the Commonwealth war cemetery and the Monte Cieco monument. These ceremonies honored the sacrifices of the 4th Indian Division and Gurkha soldiers who fought along the Gothic Line. The event also coincided with the 80th anniversary of the first post-war municipal elections held in October 1946, which marked the introduction of female suffrage in the region.