On Saturday the 2nd of June, Italians throughout the country will celebrate the Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day), Italy's main national holiday. This year’s celebration marks the 65th anniversary of the Italian Republic.
After the end of World War II, the Italian population took a general vote to whether to keep the monarchy or become a democratic republic. The monarchy gained only 46% of the vote and were exiled, and the Constitution of the Italian Republic was drawn up to protect the people from any attempt to restore the monarchy.
Rome hosts an official celebration dating back to the abolition of the monarchy, which will begin this Saturday morning with the placement of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Italian armed forces, will lead a reduced military parade down the Via dei Fori Imperiali to Piazza Venezia.
Though the president is normally surrounded by horse-riding guards in glistening armour for the parade, which dates back to the first celebration of the Festa della Repubblica in 1948, this year's festivities will take on a somber tone to honour the victims of the recent devastating earthquakes in northern Italy.
Giampaolo di Paola, the Defense Minister, said in a press conference Wednesday that "the Festa della Repubblica is a celebration of the people, our people. And this year the Italian people honour the communities affected by the earthquake."
Several cities in northern Italy have cancelled their holiday celebrations in light of the current conditions.
