The 25 April in Italy is the Liberation Day. All over the country, we celebrate the anniversary of the liberation from the Nazi occupation and from the Fascist regime. This is a crucial day in the history of our country and it has great political and military relevance.
The date of 25 April 1945 will be forever remembered because it represents the end of the war that lasted five years and twenty years of tyranny. It is also the anniversary of the resistance, especially of the Partisans that fought against the Nazis and the Fascist regime of the Italian Social Republic.
A Brief History of 25 April
Who are The Partisans
Italian Partisan groups were born during the Second World War. Fascist Italy was at war with the Nazis. But in 1943 Italy declared unconditional surrender to the Allies (US, England, France, URSS). The Campaign for the Liberation of Italy from the German forces began. So, Anti-fascists and soldiers of the ex-Italian Royal Army created the first Partisan groups.
In the beginning, they consisted of only a few thousand people. But as time went by, the Resistenza reinforced its ranks with workers, peasants, and draft dodgers of the Italian Social Republic. In the end, they counted more than three hundred thousand followers.
For two years, they opposed an armed resistance against the German invaders and a civil war against the Italian Fascists.
In the spring of 1945, Anglo American Troops broke the Gothic Line, a huge defensive wall that split Italy into two parts. This fortification crosses Central Italy from the town of La Spezia on the Tyrrhenian Sea to Rimini on the Adriatic Sea.
The news that the Nazis were retreating and almost defeated gave more power to the Partisans and the National Liberation Committee for Northern Italy (CLNAI).
Partisans had their anthem during the years of resistance: “Bella Ciao“. This song of Italian folklore was back in the spotlight thanks to the famous TV series La Casa de Papel, Money Heist in English. But it was already famous worldwide as the anti-fascist hymn, a symbol of resistance, and freedom. We are glad that thanks to the TV show Bella Ciao could relive and intrigue someone to learn more about this page of history.
What happened on 25 April in Italy?
On 25 April 1945, the CLNAI through the voice of his head, Mr. Sandro Pertini, made an important announcement via radio.
Cittadini, lavoratori! Sciopero generale contro l’occupazione tedesca, contro la guerra fascista, per la salvezza delle nostre terre, delle nostre case, delle nostre officine. Come a Genova e Torino, ponete i tedeschi di fronte al dilemma: arrendersi o perire!
Citizens, workers! General strike against the Nazi Occupation, against the Fascist war, for the safeness of our lands, of our houses, and of our shops. As in Genoa and Turin, face the Germans with a dilemma: surrender or die!
Sandro Pertini, the head of Partisan Committee
They called for the strike in Milan and the general insurrection in all territories occupied by Nazis and Fascists. The Committee ordered all Partisan groups to attack German defenses forcing the capitulation. They didn’t even wait for the Allied troops to arrive days later.
From that moment, the CLNAI assumed the temporary leadership of the country in the name of the Italians. They also declared the sentence of death for all fascist leaders, including Benito Mussolini. The Dux tried to run away from Milan the night of the 25 but his escape ended two days later on the Como Lake where, the day after he was shot with his lover Claretta.
On 1 May, all of Northern Italy was released. The German invasion finally ended on 3 May with the Surrender of Caserta. So did the Fascist regime lasted twenty years.
The 25 April was officially declared a national holiday in 1949. For us, this is a day of commemoration. We remember our compatriots who fought for freedom and “sacrificed” their lives for the country. We do it by visiting war memorials and all places symbols of the Resistance.
Events in Tuscany for the 25 April
Usually, on the 25 April, Italians take advantage of the public holiday by organizing small activities or short breaks. They go to visit the main cities or explore the countryside. If the weather is good they reach the coastal area enjoying the sun and fresh air.
In Tuscany, the days before and after Italy’s Liberation Day are plenty of special events and things to do. I collected a few things you could do in Tuscany for the 25 April, Italy’s Liberation Day.
The Freedom National Park of Sant’Anna di Stazzema
There is a special place in Tuscany, where Italians commemorate the fallen during the war. This is the mountain village of Sant’Anna di Stazzema.
The little village is located in the Apuan Alps, the mountains in northern Tuscany. During the war, the Germans built a huge defensive wall that split Italy into two parts. Its name was the Gothic Line, which crossed exactly those mountains near Sant’Anna.
Here, the 12 August 1944, the Nazi Schutzstaffel killed in cold blood 560 people in only three hours. Most of them were women, children, and old men. Today, a park and a war memorial keep the memory of this cruel massacre alive.
We dedicated a special article to this dramatic episode. We highly recommend reading about the Sad Story of Sant’Anna here. Even Spike Lee dedicated a movie to this massacre.
THE SAD STORY OF THE MASSACRE OF SANT’ANNA DI STAZZEMA
Ceremony for the Italian Resistance Day and Gardens in Bloom in Florence
In Florence, celebrations take place in Piazza Santa Croce with the deposition of a garland to the deaths in war. Local authorities, the Freedom Tuscan Committee, and Partisans participate in the commemorations. To follow, suffrage prayers, and a procession to reach Piazza Della Signoria for an official ceremony at Palazzo Vecchio. Here, a Philarmonic usually plays the national anthem Fratelli d’Italia.
Once in Florence, visit the “Gardens of Villa Bardini” to admire the amazing Wisteria in bloom. Or the “Garden of Iris” that opens only a few days per year in April and May when Iris bloom.
The International Handicrafts Trade Show in Florence
Since 1931 the Fortezza da Basso of Florence has been hosting the International Handicrafts Fair. The best Italian craftsmen and many others coming from over fifty countries gathered in the same place. Moreover, visitors find workshops, cooking shows, and events for adults and children. This year 2024 the MIDA takes place from the 25 of April until the 1st of May.
Festa della Stagion Bona (Feast of Good Season), Panzano in Chianti
On the 25 April, in Panzano in Chianti, the Festa Della Stagion Bona takes place. There are food stands selling dishes of the Tuscan tradition. Wisteria pancakes, ficattole (aka Sgabei) filled with cold cuts or Nutella, porchetta, and ribollita soup. There is also a historical procession. Then, music, kid’s entertainment, and fireworks.
(Update on April 25th, 2024)
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