Italy celebrates Italian Republic Day ‘Festa della Repubblica’

ROME - The republic of Italy, a close partner of Somalia, has celebrated "Festa Della Repubblica", Italy's Republic Day, with a national public holiday on Thursday 2 June 2022. The national holiday has been celebrated for over 70 years save for the last two years.

Thursday's event marked the 76th edition of the annual celebrations which commemorate the 1946 occasion when the country voted in favour of a republic. The country used to be a monarchy, which was disbanded after the second world war.

The military parade was temporarily stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the event, President Sergio Mattarella laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Vittoriano monument in Piazza Venezia at 09.15 on the morning of 2 June. This was a tribute to the people who have sacrificed for the country.

One of the most popular events associated with Festa Della Repubblica in Rome is the Frecce Tricolori, a spectacular aeronautical display involving fighter jets flying in formation over the city centre, emitting plumes with the red, white and green colours of the Italian flag.

Every year, June 2 is commemorated with official ceremonies, speeches, concerts, and parades across the country, with a hallmark military parade celebration taking place in the capital city of Rome that is broadcast worldwide and can be enjoyed by all.

Celebrations take place at Italian embassies all around the world as well, characterized by flag hoisting, painting faces red, green, and white, and going on Italian picnics.

The Covid-19 pandemic almost made it impossible for the event to be held in the last two years. Italy was one of the countries which were worst affected by the pandemic, leaving thousands of people dead and the economy badly injured.

According to Italia media, the parade was held together with Via Dei Fori Imperiali, against the backdrop of the Colosseum, and comprised thousands of members of Italy’s army, navy and police forces.

The historical day commemorates the institutional referendum of 1946 when Italians were called to take a vote and decide the form of their government after World War II.

The republic of Italia has been a friend of Somalia for decades, a friendship which dates back to the 20th century. Italy has since been a close friend of Somalia, replicated in the assistance that came throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

GAROWE ONLINE