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Signora Bonelli |
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 CulturaThe Italian National Anthem
The music of the Italian national anthem was composed in 1847 by Michele
Novaro, to words by the young poet, Goffredo Mameli. This song, known as L'Inno di Mameli has been the national anthem of the Republic of Italy since 1948. Between 1861 (the year when Italy became a united nation) and 1946 the official anthem was the March of the House of Savoy. The words of the anthem were meant to call to mind past battles for freedom
waged by the Lombard towns, the Florentine republic, the Genoese, together with the young Balilla, against the Austrians, the Sicilians against the French in the so-called Sicilian Vespers. The focus of all aspirations to freedom was Rome, the Rome which, in another poem, Mameli called City of memories, city of hope. On November 23, 1847 Mameli went to take the anthem to his musician friend, Michele Novaro, who lived in Turin. Overnight the enthused Novaro composed the music, and the next day, in Genoa, Mameli brought back words and music to his companions. A few days later, on December 1, Fratelli D'Italia was played for the first time, at a popular assembly. The tune began to run like wildfire throughout the peninsula. It was on everyone's lips, in defiance of the Austrian, Bourbon and Papal police. INNO DI MAMELI (Mameli's Hymn) The Italian National anthem Fratelli d'Italia Italian brothers, L'Italia s'è desta Italy has arisen, Dell'elmo di Scipio With Scipio's helmet S'è cinta la testa. binding her head. Dove'è la Vittoria?. Where is Victory? Le porga la chioma; Let her bow down, Chè schiava di Roma For God has made her Iddio la creò. The slave of Rome. Stringiamoci a coorte, Let us gather in legions, Siam pronti alla morte: Ready to die! Italia chiamò! Italy has called! Noi siamo da secoli We for centuries
Calpesti e derisi, Have been downtrodden and derided, Perchè non siam popolo, Because we are not a people, Perchè siam divisi; Because we are divided. Raccolgaci un'unica Let one flag, one hope Bandiera, un speme; Bring us together; Di fonderci insieme; The hour has struck Già l'ora suonò. For us to join forces. Stringiamoci a coorte, Let us gather in legions, Siam pronti alla morte: Ready to die! Italia chiamò! Italy has called! Uniamoci, amiamoci; Italy has called!
L'unione e l'amore For union and love Rivelano ai popoli Reveal to peoples Le vie del Signore: The way of the Lord Giuriamo far libero Let us swear to free Il suolo natío; Our native soil; Uniti per Dio If we are united under God, Chi vincer ci può?. Who can conquer us? Stringiamoci a coorte, Let us gather in legions, Siam pronti alla morte: Ready to die! Italia chiamò! Italy has called! Dall'Alpi a Sicilia From the Alps to Sicily,
Dovunque è Legnano Everywhere it is Legnano; Ogni uom di Ferruccio: Every man has the heart Ha il cuor e la mano. and hand of Ferruccio. I bimbi d'Italia The children of Italy Si chiamano Balilla: Are all called Balilla; Il suon d'ogni squilla Every trumpet blast I vespri suonò. Sounds the (Sicilian) Vespers. Stringiamoci a coorte, Let us gather in legions, Siam pronti alla morte: Ready to die! Italia chiamò! Italy has called! Son giunchi che piegano Mercenary swords
Le spade vendute: Are feeble reeds, Già l'Aquila d'Austria And the Austrian eagle Le penne ha perdute. Has lost his plumes. Il sangue d'Italia This eagle that drunk the blood E il sangue polacco of Italy and Poland, Bevè col Cosacco together with the Cossack, Ma il cor le bruciò But this has burned his gut. Stringiamoci a coorte Let us gather in legions, Siam pronti alla morte: Ready to die! Italia chiamò! Italy has called! The Euro In Italy Italy Started Using The Euro on January 1st 2002:
On new year's day 2002, Italy, like the other 11 members of the Eurozone,
started using Euro notes and Euro coins for cash transactions. Within a few months, the old coins and banknotes in Lire have been withdrawn. In Italy, the euro coin designs were subject to scrutiny by a national technical and artistic committee before being presented to the nation on RAI uno, Italy’s largest national television station. A different design has been selected for each denomination, chosen from masterpieces by Italy’s famous artists. 2 Euro:
This depicts a portrait drawn by Raphaël of Dante Alighieri, housed in the Pope Julius II Wing of the Vatican Palace 1 Euro: This coin shows the famous drawing, The Vitruvian Man, by Leonardo da Vinci, displayed in the gallery of the Academy in Venice, illustrating the ideal proportions of the human body. 50 Euro Cents: This depicts the statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius on horseback. 20 Euro Cents: This coin portrays a sculpture by Umberto Boccioni, leader of the Italian futurist school. Note the 7 indents or scallops on the edge. 10 Euro Cents: This commemorates one of the greatest triumphs in Italian art. It shows one of the most famous works in the world, the "Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli. 5 Euro Cents: This shows the Flavius amphitheatre, which Emperor Vespasian began building around 75 AD and Emperor Titus inaugurated in 80 AD. 2 Euro Cents: This shows the Mole Antonelliana, a tower designed in 1863 by Alessandro Antonelli. 1 Euro Cent: The Castel del Monte appears on this coin. taken from: http://www.eurocoins.co.uk/italy.html
Italy's Public Holidays January
01 Wednesday New Year's Day 06 Monday Epiphany (la Befana) April 20 Sunday Easter Sunday 21 Monday Easter Monday 25 Friday Liberation Day May 01 Thursday Workers' Day June 02 Monday Anniversary of the Republic August 15 Friday Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary November 01 Saturday All Saints' Day 02 Sunday WWI Victory Anniversary Day December 08 Monday Immaculate Conception 25 Thursday Christmas Day 26 Friday Boxing Day or St. Stephen's Day Note: In addition, local feast days are held in honour of town patron
saints, generally without closure of shops and offices. These include: Turin/Genoa/Florence: Jun 24 (St John the Baptist). Milan: Dec 7 (St Ambrose). Siena: Jul 2 and Aug 16, Palio horserace. Venice: Apr 25 (St Mark). Bologna: Oct 4 (St Petronius). Naples: Sep 19 (St Gennaro). Bari: Dec 6 (St Nicholas). Palermo: Jul 15 (St Rosalia). Rome: Jun 29 (St Peter). Trieste: Nov 3.  |
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