Staff from Costa Headquarters in Genoa will gather for a commemorative mass at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, while a full-day program in Giglio will include mass at the Church of St. Laurence and Mamiliano and the laying of a bronze plaque at Molo Rosso in memoriam of the victims.

A second plaque will also be laid in honour of the solidarity shown by the Giglio locals during the tragedy.

The Church of St. Peter will host a classical music concert later that evening following the relocation of the rock that Concordia struck.

In a mark of respect for the different religions represented by Costa Cruises’ employees, a Hindu ceremony will be held in Mumbai and Goa, a Muslim ceremony in Jakarta and Bali, a Buddhist ceremony in Shanghai and a Catholic mass in Manila and Lima will also be held on the day.

Flags will fly at half-mast across all Costa offices worldwide and on their fleet of ships, which will also host mass and a minute’s silence.

“All prayers on this sad anniversary, expressed in different languages and religious beliefs but with a single voice, will help the company to face the future having made peace with the past,” a Costa Cruises spokesperson said.

The pretrial investigation into the tragedy that claimed the lives of 32 people, concluded at the end of last year with the Italian prosecutors announcing that they would present their findings this month.

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Words: Natalie Aroyan