Italy reinstates military parades after several months

The Republic of Italy, which colonized southern Somalia, has reinstated military parades after over 24 months, a temporarily stopped tradition, leading to criticism from several groups in the country. 

The country celebrated Festa Della Repubblica, Italy's Republic Day, with a national public holiday on Thursday, 2 June 2022. The national holiday has been praised for over 70 years, save for the last two years.

Thursday's event marked the 76th edition of the annual celebrations, which commemorate the 1946 occasion when the country voted in favor of a republic. The country used to be a monarchy, disbanded after the second world war. 

During the event, President Sergio Mattarella laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Vittoriano monument in Piazza Venezia at 09.15 on the morning of 2 June. This was a tribute to the people who sacrificed for the country. 

One of the most popular events associated with Festa Della Repubblica in Rome is the Frecce Tricolori, a spectacular aeronautical display involving fighter jets flying in formation over the city center plumes with the red, white, and green colors of the Italian flag.

The Covid-19 pandemic almost made it impossible to hold the event in the last two years. Italy was one of the countries worst affected by the pandemic, leaving thousands of people dead and the economy badly injured. 

According to Italia media, the parade was held together with Via dei Fori Imperiali against the backdrop of the Colosseum. It comprised thousands of members of Italy’s army, navy, and police forces.

Italy ruled southern Somalia before leaving in July 1960, moments after northern Somalia got independence from the Britons. Italy has since been a close friend of Somalia, replicated in the assistance that came throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. 

GAROWE ONLINE