78th Festa della Repubblica (Festival of the Republic) Trieste, Italy

Italy will observe its 78th Festa della Repubblica on Sunday, June 2, 2024, marking the annual celebration with a nationwide public holiday. This day will commemorate the historic 1946 referendum when Italians voted decisively to establish a republic, casting aside the monarchy that had been tainted by its association with World War II.
The day will begin with a time-honored tradition as President Sergio Mattarella lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Vittoriano monument in Piazza Venezia.
The solemn ceremony on the morning of 2 June, held in Trieste, will be attended by dignitaries and citizens alike, reflecting the profound respect for the republic’s foundation and the sacrifices made for Italy’s democratic rebirth.
In a gesture to make the celebration even more inclusive, Italy will, for the second consecutive year, open state museums and archaeological sites, to the public for free on June 2. This initiative aims to provide greater access to Italy’s rich cultural heritage, allowing both residents and visitors to engage more deeply with the nation’s history on this significant day.
Festa della Repubblica will stand as one of Italy’s most significant public holidays, a day when the nation unites to celebrate its enduring republic. Established in the aftermath of World War II, the referendum of June 2, 1946, saw Italians-many for the first time, including women-vote overwhelmingly to abolish the monarchy. This pivotal decision came after the monarchy’s reputation had suffered greatly due to its complicity with the fascist regime and the devastating impacts of the war.
Across Italy, the celebration will take many forms, from military parades to concerts, and from public readings to family gatherings, all honoring the spirit of resilience and democracy that the referendum represents.
President Mattarella’s wreath-laying ceremony will be a focal point of the day’s events, symbolizing national unity and remembrance. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located in the Altare della Patria, or Altar of the Fatherland, is a monument dedicated to those who died in the wars for Italian unification and later conflicts, making it a poignant site for reflection.
Festa della Repubblica will fall on a Sunday this year, making no difference to Italy’s public offices and schools, which are normally closed for the national holiday. As the nation celebrates its republic, Italians will also take the opportunity to reflect on their broader array of public holidays. These days off, which include Christmas, Easter Monday, and Ferragosto on August 15, among others, provide a rhythm to Italian life, balancing work with family, community, and cultural heritage.