Italy celebrates Liberation Day this Saturday, April 25th. The date is known in the country as Il Giorno della Liberazione ou La Festa della Resistenza(Liberation Day or Resistance Festival, in a free translation). The national holiday has been observed annually since 1946.
The day marks the end of Italian Civil War and the end of the Nazi occupation of the territory. Because it is an official holiday, schools and most workplaces are closed when the date falls on a weekday.
Banks, post offices, and many restaurants typically suspend operations. Supermarkets may only operate in the morning or remain closed. Public transportation operates on reduced schedules in several cities.
Since 2023, the Italian government has included April 25th on the list of dates with free admission to state museums. Archaeological parks and historical monuments also offer free admission on this date.
The public can visit sites such as the Colosseum in Rome and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence free of charge. Pompeii and other world-renowned cultural sites are also participating in the initiative.
The date has a strong political component for the population. Speeches, marches, and protests take place in various regions of the country. song Bella CiaoThe anthem of the Italian resistance movement is sung at various events.
Official ceremonies pay homage at the tombs of guerrilla soldiers. The main political event takes place at the Altare della Patria in Rome. The site is the national monument to King Victor Emmanuel II.
President Sergio Mattarella usually makes an annual visit to the Ardeatine Caves mausoleum. The site honors the 335 Romans killed by the Nazis in 1944.
Many Italians take advantage of the holiday for family lunches. Political debate about the country's history is a common topic during social gatherings on this date.
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