June, 2nd: The Festa Della Repubblica
June 2nd is the “Festa della Repubblica” and it’s when Italians celebrate the Republic. This celebration is considered the ‘birthday” of the Italian Republic.
At the end of WWII, Italy was a monarchy ruled by the House of Savoia, a noble family from Piedmont. From 1861, for nearly ninety years in Italy, both the king and the parliament co-existed.
Unfortunately, the Savoia family was not much loved by the Italians, especially because they never opposed the fascist dictatorship, and during the Second World War, they left the army and the people without any guidance.
On June 2nd, 1946, Italians were summoned to a constitutional referendum by universal suffrage to decide whether the country should remain a monarchy or become a republic.
Surprisingly, the southern regions overwhelmingly voted to keep the monarchy, whereas the northern regions opted for a republic.
How is Italy’s Republic Day Celebrated?
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
In Italy, this tomb is called the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument. The festivities usually include the President laying a laurel wreath at the Altare della Patria (‘Altar of the Homeland’) in Rome, paying homage to the Milite Ignoto (‘Unknown Soldier’).
The tomb, which also has an eternal flame, was added to this national monuments, on November 4th, 1921. However, the tomb, which was designed by sculptor Alberto Sparapani, was not completed until 1924.
Furthermore, the Altare della Patria is a magnificent monument which certainly takes on greater significance during Festa della Repubblica. In fact, the two Latin inscriptions on the propylaea represent the day’s spirit and theme:
Military parades
The celebrations feature military and official parades. Rome is the center of this day, all the major events take place in the capital. The military parade takes place in via dei Fori Imperiali.
Tri-color Air Show
One of the most recognizable symbols is the Frecce Tricolori, the acrobatic section of the Italian Air Force. They are known for their amazing acrobatics moves and for “painting the sky” in the colors of the Italian flag.
Altare della Patria
Furthermore, the Altare della Patria is a magnificent, if artistically divisive, monument. It certainly takes on greater significance during the Festa della Repubblica. In fact, the two Latin inscriptions on the propylaea represent the day’s spirit and theme:
Patriae Unitati, Civium LibertatiAka, the unity of the country and the freedom of its people.
Here is some vocabulary for Republic Day in Italy that you should be familiar with!
- Roma — “Rome”
- Repubblica — “Republic”
- Costituzione — “Constitution”
- Parata — “Parade”
- Tomba del Milite Ignoto — “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”
- Tricolore — “Tricolor”
- Promulgare — “Promulgate”
- Frecce Tricolori — “Tricolor Arrows”
- Altare della Patria — “Altar of the Homeland”
- Rendere omaggio — “Pay homage”
- Ghirlanda d’alloro — “Laurel garland”
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