"Tradition is not about preserving ashes but about keeping a flame alive" - Jean Jaurès, French politician
Formed by the merger of seven different fractions (Brembo, Dalmine Centro, Guzzanica, Sforzatica S. Andrea, Sforzatica S. Maria, Mariano al Brembo and Sabbio), the city of Dalmine is one of the most important industrial poles in the Lombardy region. Perhaps not everyone knows, however, that its technological development has its roots in recent times, in particular in theTenaris SPA company. Are you ready to discover the origins of this lively town? Enjoy reading!
The city of Dalmine between history and innovation
It all started in the early 20th century, when the steel industry experienced strong growth. Il German Mannesman Group played a key role during the industrialisation process. This allowed the city to expand its business activities and make a name for itself abroad.
The history of Dalmine is indisputably linked to that of the current Tenaris companywhich continues the work started by the Mannesman brothers during the last century. But its vicissitudes are also linked to the Italian trade union movementas it was here that the fight for the eight-hour working day was fought in the 1920s.
It is no coincidence that the first factory occupation also took place here, where the workers became the undisputed protagonists of production and self-management was converted into a form of protest to demand fairer working conditions.
Tenaris - marriage of industry and agriculture
The Dalminese community is, however, also the result of the combination of agricultural reality and industrial development, of the understanding between the working and farming worlds. With the passage of time, the rhythms of the factory began to complement the rhythms of daily life, which in the first half of the 20th century had already had to reckon with the heavy legacy of fascism (still visible today in some places of interest in the city such as Freedom Square) and with the air raids of the Second World War.
The 'grape festival' or the 'tree festival', meeting occasions created during the fascist period, began to coexist with the programmes offered by television, the tall chimneyscanned goods and the first leisure activities.
Peasant and industrial lifeHowever, they never ceased to revolve around the relationship between religion and nature. The following are a demonstration of this the Santellesacred images placed outside homes as a way of vow, to thank the Lord for graces received or to ward off natural disasters. Even today the Church of St GeorgeIt bears witness to the passage of time and the succession of historical events that have marked and transformed the city considerably.
If you wish to learn more the history of Dalmine and TenarisTake a look at this article: Dalmine celebrities
