In late April and early May, some important commemorative holidays are happening in Italy. This first instalment in a two-part series shines the spotlight on Liberation Day and the fall of Fascism.
Liberation Day in Italy: What Does It Commemorate?
Liberation Day, known in Italy as Festa della Liberazione, is celebrated every year on April 25. Also called Anniversario della Resistenza — Anniversary of the Resistance — it marks a pivotal moment in the nation's modern history: the end of Nazi occupation and the fall of Mussolini’s Fascist regime in 1945. This national holiday is far more than a commemoration of military victory; it celebrates the rebirth of the nation, the restoration of freedom and democracy, and the resilience of the Italian people.
Liberation Day in Italy: Historical Context
During most of World War II, Italy was part of the Axis powers (together with Nazi Germany and Japan) under the Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. After Mussolini was deposed in 1943, Italy signed an armistice with the Allies. Despite this, Nazi Germany quickly occupied northern and central Italy and reinstated Mussolini as the head of a puppet state, the Italian Social Republic. From 1943 to 1945, a fierce civil war erupted between the Fascists and a growing anti-fascist resistance movement made up of partisans (partigiani), many of whom were ordinary citizens, workers, students, and former soldiers.
The tide turned in late April of 1945, when the Italian Resistance, with the support of the Allied forces, launched a mass insurrection in cities such as Genoa, Bologna, Milan, Turin, and Venice. By May 1, all of northern Italy had been liberated from the German occupation.
April 25 was later chosen as the day to commemorate Italy’s liberation from not only the German occupation but also from its own dark era of fascism, as it was on that day in 1945 that the National Liberation Committee (the umbrella organization for the Italian resistance movement) called for the general uprising that led to taking back control of key cities, effectively ending the Fascist regime. Mussolini was captured and executed by partisans on April 28, and Italy was finally free from the grip of fascism that had terrorized the nation under Il Duce for more than two decades.
Italy’s liberation from the German occupation and Fascism was the precursor to its rejection of the monarchy and transformation to a republic in a public referendum the following year, in June of 1946. Check out our blog post, The Rise & Demise of the Italian Monarchy: Part 2, The Demise for the full scoop on that.
Liberation Day in Italy: What to Expect on April 25
Today, April 25 is a national holiday in Italy, marked by ceremonies, public speeches, concerts, and parades across the country. The President of the Republic and other political leaders participate in official commemorations, including such solemn rituals as laying wreaths at important memorials, most notably the Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) in Rome.
In many towns and cities, citizens gather in public squares to sing songs like Bella Ciao, an anthem of the resistance movement that has become a symbol of freedom worldwide. Flags are raised, and local governments often host cultural events, film screenings, and educational programs to teach younger generations about the significance of the day.
If you are in Italy on April 25, expect public offices, schools, and most businesses and shops to be closed. Public transportation will be running on the festivi (Sunday/holiday) schedules. Tourist sites, galleries, museums, and restaurants will generally be open.
Liberation Day in Italy: Cultural Significance and World Relevance
Festa della Liberazione is a day of remembrance that certainly has great cultural significance in modern Italy. It precipitated the birth of the Italian Republic and the values enshrined in its post-war constitution: democracy, social justice, and freedom. As with just about everything in Italy, however, it is not without controversy. Some on the political far right criticize the commemoration of the day’s partisan roots, and debates sometimes arise around how the Resistance should be remembered.
Despite differing views, Liberation Day generally remains a deeply emotional and unifying moment for Italians. It honours those who sacrificed their lives for a free and democratic Italy, reminding citizens each year of the cost of liberty and the importance of protecting it.
Liberation Day in Italy: Conclusion
April 25 is not just a date in history for Italy — it is a symbol of courage, resistance, and national rebirth. Liberation Day stands as a powerful reminder of the values of freedom and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of oppression, an incredibly relevant theme at this moment in world history, in the view of this blog writer, anyway.
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