A giant Italian tricolour flag has been hoisted onto the Guinigi Tower to celebrate Italian republic Day and the official celebrations in Piazza Napoleone will begin at 10.00 am with a tribute to the Prefect of Lucca, the ‘Canto degli Italiani’ performed by soprano Antonella Biondo, the lowering of the Italian flag from the Palazzo Ducale, a reading of the message from the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, institutional greetings, an exhibition of work by cartoonist Alice Milani in collaboration with Lucca Crea, a theatrical performance by students, an aria by Puccini performed by soprano Antonella Biondo, accompanied by Maestro Stefano Adabbo – in collaboration with the Teatro del Giglio Giacomo Puccini, the laying of a wreath at the War Memorial in Piazza XX Settembre, and the unveiling of a floral arrangement commemorating the day.