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fter the end of World War II, a small group of young Lucchesi would regularly meet up in Stella Polare, a bar which is located in Via Vittorio Veneto to this day. And it was there that the idea evolved of finding a space of their own in which to gather. The ideal location, in fact, was right above their heads, in the rooms above the bar. As the amount of space on the first floor was surplus to the requirements of the Association at this time, the group of friends rented several rooms for their purposes. Within a short space of time, however, the numbers had grown so much that not only did it it become imperative to find bigger premises but also to achieve official status. Thus on the 24th March 1949, the Club officially came into being with 119 founder members. It was therefore decided to move the headquarters of the Club into the rooms of the Officers’ Club which was now no longer in use following the end of the War. Indeed, several members of the now-defunct Officers' Club joined the Union Club. Since that time, the Club has been housed at the Palazzo Montauti in Lucca. There are members alive today who recall the move to the Palazzo on the 25th January 1954. They associate the years of their youth there, with memories of long-established friendships and the unforgettable music of Nel blu dipinto di blu by Domenico Modugno, the sound track of those days, echoing in their heads. Then, gradually, thanks to the work of the then President, Baron Generale De Sanctis, the direction of the Club changed. It became a place not only for a drink or a game of cards but expanded its horizons by introducing cultural, social and recreational events with the aim of encouraging younger members to join. (The above account is courtesy of Giannetto Davini. He was one of the founder Members of the Club and is today the only Honorary Member). February 2011. Presidents of The Union Club 1949 - 1951 Bocconi comm. Luigi |
The History of the Club