The Republic of Italy Turns 58

June 2nd celebrations took place around the world including Rome and Toronto

On June 2, 1946, Italy chose the Republic in an institutional referendum held concurrently with the first free elections following the Fascist regime and the war.
The republican feelings that, with mixed luck, had been a constant in the recent history of the country since the Risorgimento, acquired new strength during the Resistance, as a consequence of the damning compromises and responsibilities of the House of Savoy during the Fascist dictatorship and of the catastrophic entry in World War II.
Following the liberation of Rome and the formation of the first Bonomi cabinet, the antimonarchical feelings, strongly advocated by the Left, produced the Decree of June 25, 1944, which entrusted the choice between Republic and Monarchy to the Constitutional Assembly, which would be elected at the end of the war.
Once the country was freed from both the Fascist dictatorship and the German occupation, the new postwar political atmosphere, the fear of some parties of losing the Monarchist vote, and the need to keep a unified government in the hard times of the economic, civil, and political rebuilding of Italy suggested to change that solution, transferring the choice from the Constitutional Assembly to the voters themselves.
Decree no. 99, dated March 16, 1946, called general elections for Sunday, June 2, 1946, in order to decide upon the institutional form of the State with the new tool of a referendum and to elect the Deputies to the national Constitutional Assembly, which was to write the new Constitution.
Despite King Victor Emmanuel II's last-ditch effort to save the Monarchy by abdicating in favour of his son Hubert II, the official referendum tally, approved on June 10, 1946, by the Court of Cassation (despite heavy controversy), counted 12,717,903 votes for the Republic vs. 10,709,284 for the Monarchy.
Italy became a Republic, and Hubert II of Savoy, who became known as the King of May, left the country on June 13, 1946, after repeatedly refusing to recognize the will of the nation.
June 2 - the end of the path which had began on September 8, 1943, to redeem Italy's moral, civil and political standing, and the symbol of the birth of the Republic and its Constitution - is the day when, with the double vote and the newly acquired right to vote for women, Italians were finally able, for the first time in their history, express and affirm their sovereign will and right to choose.


a message from the ambassador

June 2 is Italy's National Day, and this year we celebrated it for the 58th time since the Referendum that created the Republic of Italy.
With the passing of time, Italy is occupying positions of ever-increasing responsibility on the international scene. This has brought upon our country much honour, but also many heavy sacrifices: now, more than ever, it is our duty to remember the presence of our courageous soldiers in Iraq and other parts of the world; some of them - as well as some civilians - have unfortunately had to sacrifice their lives.
Italy's higher profile also derives from its new closeness to Italian communities abroad: this phenomenon must be seen very favourably, and we all must continue to encourage it. I noticed with pleasure that our community in Canada has committed to do this. Our Government has multiplied the initiatives for reestablishing links with expatriate communities: important meetings were organized in Rome, with the participation of Italian entrepreneurs, scientific researchers, artists, who live abroad. As a symbol of this renewed closeness, the "Premio Italiani nel Mondo" award, which this year - in about one month's time - will be presented to Canada Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci, is growing in significance.
In a globalized world, where news circulate in real time, the members of the Italian community in Canada expect to soon be allowed to receive the programmes of RAI International, Italy's public broadcaster mainly conceived for fellow nationals living out of Italy. This would strengthen their bond with their land of origin while fully respecting multiculturalism, the foundation of Canada's society which they fully belong to.
It is to be wished that all of you, but especially the seniors of our community, would be allowed to enjoy this important source of companionship, which can offer you good information and entertainment programmes around the clock. RAI International would also satisfy the needs of younger Italians, allowing them to cherish our traditions while at the same time updating their vision of our great, beloved country, whose language should be known by the new generations. Television is notoriously effective in making the learning of Italian more attractive. Since this happens with many foreigners who love the culture of our country, the same results should be even easier to achieve with the descendants of those who, many years ago, decided to settle overseas, so far away from their country of origin.
Long live Italy, long live Canada!

Marco Colombo
Ambassador of Italy in Ottawa



a message from the consul

It is with true pleasure that I address you all, on the occasion of our Republic Day, our national holiday.
Fifty-eight years ago, on June 2, 1946, Italian voters - including, for the first time in our country, women - were called to choose between Monarchy and Republic. Italy had just come out of a war that had lasted for five long years, provoking immense destruction and deep lacerations in the fabric of society, wounds that had to be healed.
The institutional referendum of June 2, 1946, won by the Republican option that makes us proud today, marked the rebirth of Italy from its ashes and the rebirth of Italians as a united people, aware of the challenges ahead. The massive turnout was undoubtedly the beautiful testimony of the strong, intense desire of all Italians to cut any connection with a past of oppression and mourning, and to proceed with a future where the destinies of the country would be decided in a democratic and mutually loyal way.
Today, Italy - a solid country playing an important role on the international stage - must express its gratitude to those who worked for these objectives, whose fruits we all enjoy. This is clearly true also in your case, fellow nationals living abroad; despite the painful departure that brought you away, often remotely so, from your land and loved ones, now you've finally been granted recognition for what you are: first-class citizens, having the same rights as Italians who live in Italy. The voting of Italians abroad represented just the final step in the way to regaining the position and consideration that too often had been neglected, or even forgotten, over the past decades.
Be aware of your rights, and never forget your obligations: no right can exist without a corresponding obligation, and vice versa.
To those among us who are of more advanced age, I'd like to make an appeal: communicate the founding values of our common homeland - democracy, peace, tolerance, solidarity - to the younger generations, who are born and grow up in this great country that welcomed you. Let them know our recent history, so that in turn they may teach it to those who will come after us.
Therefore, I express you my best wishes for our Republic Day, with minds always thinking of those fellow nationals who do their duty in the service of peace, are distinguishing themselves in the world, often sacrificing their lives.

Luca Brofferio
Consul General of Italy in Toronto

Publication Date: 2004-06-06
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=4051