June 2nd marks the Festa della Repubblica in Italy, otherwise known as Republic Day. Exactly 80 years ago Italians participated in a referendum to decide the form of their government – republic or monarchy – following World War II. It was a relatively tight vote (54.3% to 45.7%  with the result that, after 85 years, the Kingdom of Italy was no more.

By Federico Patellani – https://www.palazzorasponi2.com/giganti/federico-patellani/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=118602953

Republicanism in Italy

Throughout Italy’s modern history, Republicanism has manifested itself in governments, philosophical thought, and general political ideation. Giuseppe Mazzini revived the movement in the 19th century and was an inspiration to other political leaders such as Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru. He posited the concept of ‘thought and action’ which pushed against intellectualism and argued theory could not be separated from practice.

A republican Italy means a country where the political power is decided via election and is dictated by charter or constitution. Festa della Repubblica celebrates this democratic choice against Fascism and its detriment to the country.

By Unknown author – Almanacco Socialista 1976, Edizioni Avanti!, scansione e correzioni effettuate da it:utente:Alfonso_Capriolo, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113849797

Festa Della Repubblica and Other National Symbols

There are many national symbols which represent Italy via emblems, metaphors, personifications, and  allegories. The main three are:

• the flag of Italy in red, white and green
• the emblem of Italy –  a white five-pointed star layered over a steel cogwheel, flanked by an olive branch and an oak branch and tied together by a red ribbon that reads ‘REPUBBLICA ITALIANA’
• “Il Canto degli Italiani” by Goffredo Mameli and Michele Novaro, the Italian national anthem

The Festa della Repubblica celebrations include lots of ceremonies, the laying of a symbolic wreath, and, of course, plenty of good food and wine!