Increased control over Liberation Day festivities in Italian towns due to escalating political disagreements

Capitalizing on Solemnity: Italy's Political ShiftLend your thoughts

As Italy honors 80 years of freedom from Fascist and Nazi rule on April 25, several local authorities are trimming or axing commemorative events, claiming the national mourning period proclaimed following Pope Francis' decease.

In Romano di Lombardia, a town close to Bergamo, officials have banned the performance of Bella Ciao, a time-honored anthem of the Italian Resistance. The city council president, Paolo Patelli of the far-right League party, issued a statement, forbidding musical performances, except for solemn numbers like Silenzio and Attenti, during the initial section of the Liberation Day procession.

This mandate has stirred controversy, particularly among local citizens and associates of the National Association of Italian Partisans (ANPI), who reason that such prohibitions are unenforceable.

Walter Torrioni, ANPI's local branch director, stated, "The band can be prevented from performing Bella Ciao, but citizens cannot be prevented from singing it as they always do: with love! Bella Ciao is a love song, and we will also sing it in honor of Pope Francis, a man of peace."

Torrioni continued, "It appears to me that public spaces in Romano and elsewhere are open as usual during these days of mourning, with movie theaters continuing their programming, and the city market still held as usual on Thursdays." He wondered, "Does only April 25th have to be solemn?"

The limitations in Romano di Lombardia correspond to a broader trend across Italy.

Although Italy's hard-right coalition government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, hasn't explicitly discouraged Liberation Day events, it has urged them to be conducted with restraint, owing to the five-day mourning period. In several towns, particularly those governed by right-wing administrations, commemorations have been substantially scaled back—or even cancelled entirely.

In Vallecamonica, Brescia, the municipalities of Ono San Pietro and Cividate Camuno have both opted to scrap their April 25 events. The mayor of Cividate Camuno, Alessandro Francesetti, from the far-right ruling Brothers of Italy party, had instead rescheduled for April 26, but ultimately called off that as well.

Similar actions have been taken in Genazzano, near Rome, where Mayor Alessandro Cefaro banned the traditional Liberation Day procession in the name of "sobriety." In Cinisello Balsamo, near Milan, Mayor Giovanni Ghilardi has gone even further—cancelling rallies, banning partisan flags, and excluding resistance associations from participation.

Even Domodossola—a city historically known as a symbol of the Resistance—has reduced its events. Officials there have removed the parade, musical group, and public speeches from the program, citing respect for the national mourning.

This trend has extended beyond right-wing strongholds. In Leno, Brescia, a municipality governed by the center-left Democratic Party, Liberation Day ceremonies have also been curtailed, with only a shortened, low-key morning event planned.

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Enrichment Data

The scaling back of 2025 commemorations primarily stems from the five-day national mourning period proclaimed for Pope Francis’ death (April 22–26), which coincided with Liberation Day (April 25). The government urged "sobriety" and restrained public demonstrations during this period[3][1]. Critics argue this allowed Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government to dampen the political aspects of Liberation Day, traditionally a focal point for anti-fascist activism[1][5].
The political context includes concerns that Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, rooted in post-fascist movements, seeks to reframe national identity away from anti-fascist resistance narratives. Former PM Paolo Gentiloni emphasized Liberation Day should celebrate “democratic patriotism” rather than “nationalist” versions promoted by some in government[1]. The mourning period’s timing created logistical and symbolic conflicts, with some viewing it as an attempt to mute dissent during a politically sensitive anniversary marking 80 years since liberation[5][1].

The far-right League party in Romano di Lombardia has banned the performance of Bella Ciao, a traditional anthem of the Italian Resistance, during Liberation Day processions, sparking controversy.
Local citizens and associates of the National Association of Italian Partisans (ANPI) argue that such prohibitions are unenforceable and that Bella Ciao can still be sung by citizens with love.
Walter Torrioni, ANPI's local branch director, questions whether only April 25th should be somber, as movie theaters and markets continue normal operations during the national mourning period.
Several towns across Italy, including Vallecamonica, Ono San Pietro, and Cividate Camuno, have scrapped their April 25 events, while others like Genazzano, Cinisello Balsamo, Domodossola, and Leno have curtailed their commemorative activities.
In some strongholds of the right-wing government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, commemorations have been substantially scaled back or even cancelled entirely due to the national mourning period.
In the center-left Democratic Party-governed Leno, Liberation Day ceremonies have also been curtailed, with only a shortened, low-key morning event planned.
Critics argue that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government is using the national mourning period to dampen the political aspects of Liberation Day, traditionally a focal point for anti-fascist activism.
The控制和市场хе任局's (European Commission) Directive for the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) requires companies listed on EU stock exchanges to digitize their financial reports using a standardized extension, potentially impacting Italy's economy and global competitiveness in the region.

Increased control over Liberation Day festivities in Italian towns due to escalating political disagreements