The new president of the Alte Lindebaum Gemeinde in Macugnaga is a young Walser, who perfectly knows the “Tisch” language. Annamaria Zurbriggen was elected during the assembly of the «community of the Old lime tree» (Italian translation of the name of the group). The association was born in the 70s on the impulse of some Walsers of Macugnaga, with the support of the historian Luigi Zanzi; initially she was involved in the restoration of some monuments, in particular churches and ovens, a cultural baggage that was being lost. Afterwards, the Alte Lindebaum Gemeinde took care of the organization, with the precious help of the historian Enrico Rizzi, of events and meetings, in particular the San Bernardo Fair.
In 1989 the committee of the Walser Community of Macugnaga was formed, made up of several realities, and with the participation of the museum of the Walser House of Borca and a representative of the Municipality. Since then these groups have collaborated in synergy to safeguard the local culture. There are many projects under construction, including the candidacy of the Walser culture as an intangible cultural heritage in the Unesco Register of good protection practices.
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During the meeting, the outgoing president, Maria Roberta Schranz, reported on the activities carried out in the last three years, including the publication of the volume on the Walser costume of Macugnaga, with the collaboration of various authors. The new board of directors is also composed of Barbara Zanzi, Barbara Corsi, Giuseppe Corsi, Emanuela Burgener, Mariarita Pella and Maria Roberta Schranz.
The latter was thanked for the enthusiasm and commitment made in the last three years of presidency and everyone appreciated the generational change in running the association, confirming the good work done to involve young people in the awareness of their origins.