Great participation and consensus for the 27th edition of the Policeman’s Befana, which took place yesterday, 6 January 2026, at the Politeama Theater in Catanzaro. The initiative, promoted by the FSP State Police Union, confirms itself as a historic event deeply rooted in the social fabric of the area, capable of involving citizens, families and numerous civil and institutional authorities.
The tribute to Mario Finocchiaro
This year’s edition was dedicated to the memory of the former Catanzaro police commissioner Mario Finocchiaro, who passed away last October, a high-profile institutional figure who left a profound mark on the State Police and the Catanzaro community, standing out for his balance, authority and sense of the State.
The authorities present
The event was attended by, among others, the police commissioner of Catanzaro Giuseppe Linares, the police commissioner of Brindisi Aurelio Montaruli, the central director of the Specialties of the State Police, the prefect Renato Cortese, the regional councilor for Security, Legality and Environment Antonio Montuoro, the mayor of Catanzaro Nicola Fiorita, the president of the Chamber of Commerce Pietro Falbo, as well as the national leaders of the FSP union with the general secretary Valter Mazzetti and the vice-president Franco Maccari.
Also present was a delegation from Us Catanzaro, led by president Floriano Noto and general director Paolo Morganti, accompanied by some footballers, demonstrating the role of sport as a tool for social cohesion.
Inclusion and entertainment
As per tradition, a delegation from the National Deaf Authority participated in the initiative, with the regional president Antonio Mirijello, together with a representation of the National Association of State Police led by president Giovanni Romeo, confirming the attention to inclusion issues.
The show, which lasted over three hours, saw numerous performances from the artistic world alternate. The intervention of the Calabrian folk singer-songwriter Mimmo Cavallaro was particularly appreciated, together with the cabaret moments of the Catanzaro artists Rino & Giulio, who contributed to creating a climate of participation and sharing for all the families.
The value of the initiative
Full satisfaction was expressed by the national secretary of the FSP State Police Giuseppe Brugnano, who underlined how the Policeman’s Befana represents much more than a simple event, taking the form of a moment of authentic closeness between the State Police, citizens and families. Brugnano thanked those who contributed to the success of the event, starting from the provincial secretary Rocco Morelli, the entire provincial secretariat of Catanzaro and Giulio Falbo and Tiziana Bertuca.
The initiative thus confirms itself as an event capable of uniting institutions, the associative world and communities, renewing a tradition that continues to represent a concrete signal of the State’s closeness to its citizens.