Festa Della Repubblica, a free event that this year celebrates the 77th Italian national day, will be held at the Italian Cultural Centre, Forrest, on June 4.
HOSTED by Com.It.Es, its Canberra president Franco Barilaro says Festa Della Repubblica is a community event and everyone’s invited to experience and enjoy all aspects of Italian culture.
“The Italian community is thrilled to invite all Canberrans to share the celebrations of the Italian National Day,” he says.
“The Festa Della Repubblica is an opportunity for families to enjoy good food, great coffee, fun activities and immerse themselves in a very Italian atmosphere.
“This is an event where all the Italian regional associations get together to celebrate. This is our 12th year of celebrating and we are welcoming everyone to come in and be an Italian for the day.”
Com.It.Es is an organisation formed by leading members of the Italian community, with the Canberra branch working with the Italian government and the Italian embassy to meet the needs, hopes and desires of the Italian community in Canberra.
“There will be Italian music performed live by Joe Sorrentino, and the spectacular Dante Musica Viva Choir will perform a range of Italian songs, from famous opera arias to regional songs,” says Franco.
“There will also be Italian street food, gelato, sweets, chestnuts, and coffee stalls open from 10.30am to 4pm.
“Activities will include a jumping castle, face painting and Italian cars on display.”
The Italian ambassador, Paolo Crudele, will open the festivities with a summary of the Italian president’s speech.
“It will be promoting integration, as we share our culture and traditions with Canberra. Fortunately, we are already well embedded in the Australian community,” says Franco.
He admits that lunchtime is his favourite part of the day, after he does his 11am speech.
“The event wouldn’t be possible without all our volunteers, they put a lot of work and preparation into making the day a success, and I wish to thank each and every one of them,” he says.
When Italy voted for a republic
FESTA Della Repubblica (Festival of the Republic) celebrates the day when, in 1946, the kingdom of Italy voted to replace its king with a president, to be chosen democratically by the citizens of a new Italian republic with a new parliament.
The institutional referendum saw 54 per cent (about 12 million voters) choosing to remove their monarch, following World War II and the fall of Fascism.
The anniversary of the Italian republic is traditionally celebrated on June 2.
The first period of Italian democracy was based on a constitution, Statuto Albertino, agreed to by the King of Piedmont-Sardinia, Charles Albert, in 1848.
Statuto Albertino was so important to Italy’s formation that the day it was signed became the first Italian National Day. This was always celebrated on the first Sunday in June, which falls from year to year around its modern replacement, Festa Della Repubblica.
Festa Della Repubblica, Italian Cultural Centre, 80 Franklin Street, Forrest, 11am-4pm, June 4.
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