On 2 June, around 59 million Italians celebrate Italian Republic Day or Festa Della Repubblica. This festivity commemorates the anniversary of the 1946 referendum, in which the Italian people were called to cast their vote on the country’s political future after the World War II. The republic was selected as the new form of state.
As part of the Festa Della Repubblica celebrations, a laurel wreath is laid at the Altare della Patria by the president of the Italian Republic as a tribute to the Unknown Soldier, who represents all the soldiers who died during the war and were never recognised. Then, there is a military parade along Via dei Fuori Imperiali in Rome, accompanied by streaks of green, white and red smoke (the colours of the Italian flag) released into the sky by the Italian Air Force.
After this impressive display, people can continue the Republic Day celebrations by visiting the gardens of the Quirinal Palace, one of the three official residences of the president of the Italian Republic, and enjoying concerts performed by the Italian army’s military bands.
If you want to learn more about Italian culture and traditions while practising your interpreting skills, you should visit the Italian section of the Speech Repository.