Andrea Innocenti On December 7th, the feast of Saint Ambrose, the City of Milan will host the 2026 Ambrogini d'Oro ceremony at the Teatro Dal Verme. The event, a symbol of the city's greatest recognition for years, will have a particular theme: the Crans-Montana tragedy that occurred last New Year's Eve, which profoundly affected the lives of many Milanese.
Selection criteria and number of applications
The Commission for Civic Merit, led by City Council President Elena Buscemi, met on Thursday, November 12, to examine 307 applications . Of these, 136 were for individuals, 27 were for memorial nominations, and 144 for collective bodies. The meeting, which began at 3:00 PM, lasted over six hours, during which the councilors intensively discussed each nomination to strike a balance between individual and collective merits.
The most discussed candidates
Among the most controversial proposals were those of Emanuele Fiano, a former Democratic Party MP, and the Museum of the Jewish Brigade of Milan, supported respectively by Daniele Nahum of Azione and Alessandro De Chirico of Forza Italia. Both candidacies were immediately eliminated due to the strong controversy surrounding the recent tensions over the war in Gaza and the resignations of Democratic Party councilors.
Awards in memory of the Crans-Montana tragedy
The Memorial Medal was awarded to those who lost their lives or suffered direct damage due to the Constellation fire. Chiara Costanzo and Achille Barosi , two young Milanese women among the 15 victims, were honored for their memory. Ambassador Luca Attanasio , killed in Congo, and local police officer Francesco Imprezzabile , who died in a chase, were also included in the list. Enrico Rizzi , a political figure, and journalist Elena Pero were recognized for their social commitment.
The Grand Gold Medal was awarded to the Community of Families , the Niguarda CGU, the healthcare workers, and the school staff who supported the injured children in Crans. This collective recognition is intended to underscore the importance of networking in rebuilding lives shattered by the tragedy.
Ambrogini d'oro: the individual protagonists and the awarded associations
Among the recipients of the Ambrogino d'Oro are former mayor Gabriele Albertini , nominated by Forza Italia, and singer-songwriter Biagio Antonacci , nominated by the Forza Italia group. Fashion designer Donatella Versace also received the gold medal for her contribution to Made in Italy. Doctor Franz Wilhelm Baruffaldi Preis , a plastic surgeon at Niguarda Hospital, was awarded for his lifesaving care of the injured children in Crans.
The associations that have received the recognition include CISL Milano Metropoli , the Stumbling Stones Committee , UNICEF Milan , the Garibaldi Venice Police Station , and the Lorenteggio Police Station . These organizations represent a wide range of sectors, from union work to children's rights advocacy, demonstrating the variety of civic commitments the city wishes to celebrate.
The exclusions and the political reasons
The nominations of Emanuele Fiano and the Jewish Brigade Museum were rejected after their presence reignited debates over Milan's position in the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. The decision, announced by the commission, was described as an "attempt to maintain the neutrality of the award" and avoid further tensions in the city.
The December 7th ceremony promises to be a moment of reflection and recognition, where the honor bestowed by the Ambrogino d'Oro is intertwined with the memory of the victims and appreciation for those who, day after day, work for the good of the community.