News from Italy
June, 2nd: The Festa Della Repubblica
Vita gazette – On June 2, 1946, Italy held its first referendum and voted for either the Monarchy or the Republic. And the Republic was the winner. Every year, on this day, we celebrate La Festa Della Repubblica together.
Begun, as is customary, at the Altare Della Patria, here the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella paid homage by placing a wreath from the time on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Also present, close to him, Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the President of the Senate, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, and the Speaker of the Chamber, Roberto Fico. Obviously, the extraordinary flight of the Frecce Tricolori over the Capitoline sky, which took place after the execution of the silence, was not missing.
As it is a national holiday, the majority of people enjoy a day off work: public offices, educational institutions and banks are usually closed. Since it coincided with Thursday, June 2 this year, there were some who turned it into a short holiday.
The celebrations feature military, official parades, and demonstrations. Rome is the capital, its leading actor of this day. The holiday centers on two main events: the military parade and the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,Il Milite Ignoto. The tomb, which also has an eternal flame, has been part of the Altare della Patrina since 1921. The military parade takes place in the via dei Fori Imperiali.
Familiar symbols of the day
One of the most recognisable symbols is the Frecce Tricolori, the acrobatic section of the Italian Air Force. The Arrows are the national acrobatic section of the Aeronautica Militare Italiana, the Italian Air Force. The Frecce Tricolori are known for their amazing acrobatics and for “painting the sky” in the colours of the Italian flag.
Furthermore, the Altare Della Patria is a majestic, albeit artistically controversial, monument. It certainly acquires grandeur in the occasion of the Festa Della Repubblica. In fact, the two Latin inscriptions on the propylaea symbolize the spirit and theme of the day:
Patriae Unitati, Civium Libertati: Aka, the unity of the country. And the freedom of its people.
Finally, the Inno di Mameli is the official Italian anthem. Written in 1847 by Goffredo Mameli, it still brings tears to our eyes.
The big event of this year
But this year’s big event is the return of the military parade that has been cancelled for the past two years due to the covid-19 outbreak. The parade is held along the Via Dei Fori Imperiali against the background of the Colosseum and is attended by thousands of members of the Italian army, navy and police forces. The event causes multiple street closures and traffic restrictions in the centre.
Mattarella: “Italy is determined to build conditions for peace”
In the message he sent to the Chief of the Defense General Staff, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, on the occasion of the Republic Day, the President expressed the following views:
“The Republic is determined to build the conditions for peace and its Armed Forces contribute to this task relying on the mandates assigned by the Government and Parliament”.
