Unity Festival 2025 in Bologna: program and restaurants, what's new?

Bologna, 26 August 2025 – Bologna's Festa dell'Unità bids farewell to its historic location in Parco Nord (where it first arrived in 1974) and moves to Parco Cevenini , in via Biancolelli, in the heart of the Borgo Panigale-Reno district ( video ).

Bologna's Festa dell'Unità is moving to Cevenini Park. It begins Friday, August 29th, and runs through September 21st, 2025. (PhotoSchicchi)

Almost a month of celebration, starting Friday, August 29th and concluding Sunday, September 21st , seven restaurants run by approximately 2,500 volunteers (the same venues as last year, except for the traditional 'Gallo Rosso' restaurant, which has been replaced by 'Borgo Veg', the vegan restaurant), but without the amusement park or private dining spaces. It's a bit of a return to the roots, with a smaller festival but in the heart of the neighborhood, in a highly populated area. For this reason, we'll try "to avoid too much noise, limiting ourselves to the dance hall," which once again takes center stage, explains Roveri.

There will be two rooms for the debates: one named after Sofia Stefani , the 33-year-old traffic warden who was killed by a gunshot in 2024 at the local police headquarters in Anzola dell'Emilia: an incident for which former commander Giampiero Gualandi, 63, is on trial, accused of aggravated voluntary homicide, while the central space of the Festa de l'Unità this year will be called "Girls and boys, victims of the conflict in Gaza and of all other wars" .

A choice, explains the provincial secretary of the Democratic Party, Enrico Di Stasi, because "we believe that what is happening in Gaza, in the Middle East and in general in other war zones, even very close to our country, should absolutely not be dismissed as just a few political initiatives.

It is important that our party takes a stand and demonstrates our support, as Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and others have done."

At a Bologna Unity Festival, the seven Democratic Party restaurants remain, but no private dining options (photo by Schicchi)

Among the curiosities at the stands was the image of a tram painted on the wall of the historic Bertoldo restaurant , a temple to tortellini and tagliatelle with ragù, a sign that the infrastructure challenge will be central to the Democratic Party and the administration in the coming months.

As for guests and big names, all the representatives of the broad field will be there, from the PD to Italia Viva , from Avs to M5s and Azione , but no invitations have been sent to government representatives.

It starts on Friday at 7 pm with the mayor Matteo Lepore , the head of Organization Igor Taruffi , Di Stasi , the regional secretary Luigi Tosiani , Roveri and the Democrats Mirella Zocca and Roberta Mori , national spokesperson of the Conference of Democratic Women.

During the celebrations, Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein is expected on September 18th, president Stefano Bonaccini on September 20th, as well as some of the national leaders of the center-left such as Matteo Renzi of Italia Viva (in a confrontation with Democratic Party MP Andrea De Maria on Sunday, August 31st) and Nicola Fratoianni of Avs (in a confrontation with former mayor Virginio Merola on September 12th).

Senator Marco Lombardo will be representing Azione, while Giulia Sarti will be representing the 5 Star Movement (Giuseppe Conte had been invited but will not be present due to scheduling constraints). September 8th will be the evening of the center-left governor Michele de Pascale , but mayor Lepore , Pier Luigi Bersani , Massimo D'Alema , Roberto Speranza , Lorenzo Guerini , Andrea Orlando , Gianni Cuperlo and Maria Cecilia Guerra will also be on stage during the event.

The Festival will have approximately 2,500 volunteers, more or less the same number as those involved in the editions at Parco Nord (photo Schicchi)

As mentioned, there will be no room for representatives of national government parties, who were not invited. "We will discuss peace, rights, labor, healthcare, the environment, and the challenge of artificial intelligence ," emphasizes Democratic Party provincial secretary Di Stasi. But at the same time, the festival will be "a place for discussion open to other political forces," the secretary continues, "because we believe that democracy grows and strengthens through dialogue , even when it's difficult, but the important thing is to respect differences." A great "space for discussion, open and inclusive," Di Stasi continues, highlighting in particular the arrival of Renzi and Fratoianni, "who will also come to discuss the future of the coalition and unity. This gives me hope for the results we will achieve."

Finally, a thought for the 'Cev', Maurizio Cevenini , administrator and very popular figure of the Bologna Democratic Party, who passed away in 2012. "Launching the new festival in a place dedicated to him means linking it to the memory of a figure who represented not only political commitment," emphasizes Secretary Di Stasi, "but also civic passion and a sincere closeness to people and the community. Starting a new journey here also means carrying on his example ."

Associations and unions will be present at the festival: ANPI , the National Association of Partisans, CGIL , and UIL will all have their own stands. CISL will not be present this year, but its metropolitan secretary Enrico Bassani will be there for a discussion on labor with Michele Bulgarelli (CGIL) and Marcello Borghetti (UIL). During the festival, Davide Ferrari, head of the program, points out that there will be plenty of moments dedicated to the history of our country and its political parties, such as the initiative on the PCI with Claudio Caprara , Senator Pier Ferdinando Casini , Simona Lembi , and Giancarlo Pavoni (Saturday, August 30).

Finally, there will be several shows in the central arena, with many evenings of liscio dance, cabaret , and concerts . Despite the smaller space (though the 10,000 square meters remain the same as last year), the volunteers remain at 2,500, as in previous editions: "We haven't lost a single one," concludes Giulia Caciolli, Organization Manager for the Bologna Democratic Party. This is a sign that "our party is alive and well and thrives on the work of our volunteers."