Associazione
Lucchesi nel Mondo

The Lucchesi nel Mondo Association was founded on 11 September 1968. Right from the beginning, the President of the Provincial Administration, the Mayor of Lucca, the President of the Chamber of Commerce and, in rotation, a Mayor from the Piana lucchese, one from the Garfagnana, one from Mediavalle and one from Versilia were made members by right.
From the outset, contacts with the many compatriots abroad have always been frequent and intense. Visits to the more numerous communities and arrangements to welcome those who return to visit their families were the prime objectives of the nascent association; these have been constantly pursued over the years, encouraging meetings with local authorities.

The foundation of headquarters abroad began in 1972, following an amendment to the statute: San Francisco, London and San Paolo were the first cities to see the birth of new members’ headquarters. There are currently about 85 Luccan Associations or members of the Lucchesi nel Mondo Association, scattered throughout every continent, with over 5000 registered families.

Every day Lucca central headquarters guarantee their support to member circles in realizing various activities connected with Luccan and Tuscan culture and to spreading the traditions of our city. Another important aim of the Association is to guarantee accurate information through the publication of a quarterly “Lucchesi nel Mondo” news-sheet (supplied free to subscribers) which is forwarded to over 6,000 member families throughout the world..
The most important news on activities promoted by the central headquarters is also to be found on line in the internet www.lucchesinelmondo.it website.

Initiatives promoted in the Lucca district by the Lucchesi nel Mondo Association, addressed mainly to compatriots resident abroad, are concentrated during the summer months and in September, a period when there is a steady return of emigrants to assist at the most important local festivities.

Besides meetings held for members and Presidents of foreign Associations only, international Conferences are held regularly at which numerous foreign delegations and scholars of the migratory phenomenon take part.

Every year, on 13 September, the Annual General Meeting is held in the presence of leading local authorities, at the end of which delegations from the various circles take part – with their ensigns – in the traditional Holy Cross Procession, in which they pay homage to the Volto Santo, a simulacrum of faith around which the city gathers each year. The realization of this broad range of activities is possible thanks to the continuous support of the local Authorities, among which, above all, the Comune di Lucca, the Provincia di Lucca, the Chamber of Commerce and banks operating in the Lucchesia.