Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese, Albana Ferrarese celebrate Festa della Repubblica, host reception

Staff Writer

Islamabad: Islamabad: Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese and his wife Albana Ferrarese this week celebrated the Festa della Repubblica.

They hosted a reception which was widely attended by politicians, diplomats and journalists.

The duo greeted the Italians living in Pakistan and the millions back home a happy Republic Day – celebrated on June 2.

Italy celebrates Festa della Repubblica, commonly known as Italian Republic Day. On this day, Italians commemorate their status as a unitary parliamentary republic.

The historical day commemorates the institutional referendum of 1946 when Italians were called to take a vote and decide the form of their government after World War II.

Following the fall and the end of World War II, a referendum was announced by universal suffrage in 1946, to be held on June 2 and June 3.

The Italian public gathered to vote for their form of government — for either a monarchy or a republic. On June 10, it was revealed that 45% of voters had chosen the monarchy, whereas 54% of Italians wanted a republic.

The results were clear — Italians ushered in a new chapter of freedom, as declared by the Court of Cassation, and exiled the male members of the royal family — the House of Savoy.

The country adopted a new constitution on January 1, 1948, making Italy a unitary parliamentary republic with a permanent ban on the monarchy to ever rule the country again.

Every year, June 2 is commemorated with official ceremonies, speeches, concerts, and parades across the country, with a hallmark military parade celebration taking place in the capital city of Rome that is broadcast worldwide and can be enjoyed by all.