With a program rich in initiatives, Pisa will celebrate the 239th anniversary of the promulgation of the Codice Leopoldino or Leopoldina by Pietro Leopoldo, which took place on 30 November 1786 right here in our city. The Grand Duke, in fact, used to prefer Pisa to Florence during the winter months, not only because of the milder climate but also because of the character of the Pisans, less exuberant and intrusive than that of the Florentine subjects. With the Leopoldina, Tuscany became the first state in the world to abolish the death penalty and the practice of torture, and this is why, since 2001, it has been celebrated with the Festa della Toscana.
The celebrations, organized by the Department of Education and the Office of the Presidency of the Pisa City Council in collaboration with the Pisa School Office, include a series of initiatives over several days, centered on hosting eight children from Jericho, a city twinned with Pisa.
The program begins on Sunday, 7 December at 11:00 AM at the Royal Palace Museum with the commemoration of the promulgation of the Codice Leopoldino, which took place precisely in Pisa and in those solemn and splendid halls overlooking the Lungarni. In the Hall of Tapestries, after greetings from Massimo Dadà, Director of the National Museums of Pisa, there will be contributions from Mayor Michele Conti, President of the Province Massimiliano Angori, Provincial School Superintendent Andrea Simonetti, and President of the Regional Council of Tuscany Stefania Saccardi.
On this occasion, the book “Chi era? La storia degli illustri personaggi delle scuole pisane” (“Who Were They? The Story of Distinguished Figures of Pisan Schools”) will be presented. It gathers thoughts and writings from students of the city’s upper secondary schools on the 2024 Festa della Toscana theme, “Tuscany, Land of Geniuses and Innovation.” The book was produced with funding from the Regional Council, the Province, and the Municipality. Printed in 800 copies, it is distributed to Pisan schools for their libraries and for the students.
Several students from the “Giosuè Carducci” Music High School, prepared by teachers Francesca Amato, Bianca Barsanti, and Marialuisa Pepi, will enliven the morning. The event is also an opportunity to visit the Royal Palace Museum, which will be open with free admission.
From 9 to 13 December, eight girls and boys from Jericho will stay in Pisa as part of the project “PPP – PISA FOR PEACE,” created by the Pisa Municipal Administration with the support of the Regional Council of Tuscany and the Province of Pisa for the 2025 Festa della Toscana, dedicated this year to the theme “Tuscany, a Bridge for Peace.” The project is made possible thanks to the active collaboration of all the city’s comprehensive schools. Each Palestinian child will be hosted by the family of a Pisan student of the same age and will take part in the regular educational activities of the hosting class.
The young people from Jericho will also participate, along with their “new” Pisan schoolmates, in the solemn session of the City Council scheduled for Wednesday, 10 December at 9:00 AM at the Stazione Leopolda. Convened by Council President Alessandro Bargagna, the session will see the participation of the hosting classes, the children from Jericho, and representatives of the upper secondary schools, who will share their own thoughts and reflections on the theme “What can I do for Peace?” in the presence of Mayor Michele Conti, President of the Province Massimiliano Angori, Provincial School Superintendent Andrea Simonetti, and President of the Regional Council Stefania Saccardi.
