Today is a national public holiday in Italy and marks the 66th anniversary of the declaration of the Italian republic.
But with the country in economic (moral, political & social!) turmoil, recent mafia related bombing in Brindisi in the south and a devestating earthquake rocking Emilia Romagna in the north, there really doesn’t feel much to celebrate today.
To that end, planned annual celebrations here in Rome have been significantly reduced because of the crisis and in a show of respect for the earthquake victims.
This weekend as I reflect on the Italian Republic and all it has achieved and been faced with in the last 66 years, my thoughts are with the north – the dead, the injured and the thousands who remain displaced.
Albeit it on a sombre note, a BIG Happy Italian National Day to Italy and Italians around the world. Unity is critical in times such as these.
The following article about Republic Day in Rome features in Wanted in Rome (you can check them out at www.wantedinrome.com):
“The annual military parade in Rome to mark Italy’s national day on 2 June will be a reduced affair this year partly because of the economic crisis, partly in respect for the victims of the two recent purchase klonopin online earthquakes in northern Italy. The quakes, which have hit the area around Modena and have been felt in Milan, have claimed 24 victims so far.
Traffic and public transport around the Colosseum and Via Fori dei Imperiali in Rome, the site of the annual parade, have already been diverted and on 2 June the area around Piazza Venezia will also be blocked from 07.00-13.00.
In response to those who have suggested that the parade should be called off the president of the republic, Giorgio Napolitano, has replied that it is especially important in moments of difficulty to mark the day as a sign of national unity and respect for the institutions of state, but with the necessary restraint.
This year there will be no aerial salute by the Frecce Tricolori, no military vehicles or horses and the number of units on parade will be reduced from 120 to 60. Televised links with the earthquake zone of Mirandola north of Modena are being organised during the march-past along Via dei Fori Imperiali.
2 June marks the day in 1946 when Italians voted in favour of a republic and against the monarchy which had been discredited by its behaviour during world war two.”
Signing off from Rome,
Baci Maria
