Italian Republic Day

June 2nd is the Republic Day in Italy: the country commemorates the day in 1946 when Italians voted in a referendum to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic. It is a national holiday and shops and offices are closed.

Yesterady morning at 9.30, the president of the republic Giorgio Napolitano presided over the traditional wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier on the Vittoriano monument in Piazza Venezia. This was followed by a military parade along Via dei Fori Imperiali and an aerial display by the Italian air force’s “Frecce Tricolori” squadron, which leaves a trail of green, white and red smoke in the colors of the Italian flag.

In the afternoon, the gardens of the Quirinale palace, the official residence of the president of the Republic, were open to the public starting from 3pm and there were performances by military bands.

Lots of our students and some professors went to see the parade along Via dei Fori Imperiali: this was an exceptional occasion for them to know a little more about Italian history and culture!