A native Italian on what Festa della Liberazione actually means today, why the holiday is still politically contested, and why Bella Ciao is not a pop song.
When I arrived here a few years ago, in Bologna of all places, I began learning the nuance of the politics here. I was only in Italy for a few months at that time and Bologna exploded in April! I was born in the US and know the broad strokes of history of course but didn’t understand / comprehend the still open wound that the war brought. And another layer is that as I nomad around Italy looking for home, I’m fascinated that the impact is so different in different cities. I guess it should be obvious that political views vary widely but the political distance between one city and another around the war is astonishing.
Great piece. Such a complicated history, very well-explained. I've been trying to educate myself on some of this, but it seems there's always another layer. And at the core, the stark class distinctions rooted in the padrone/peasant relationship. It's not a very old country--but its problems are.
Great artícle and deep analysis. As Spaniard, it reminds me a lot about a similar situation in Spain concerning our Civil War (1936-39), which after 90 years is still debated and a controversial topic for políticians.
This was a fascinating read, Antonio! I did not know who Salvo d’Acquisto was and you did a great job of explaining the complicated history of the date. Bravissimo
Grazie Antonio! I travel. A place I have never been is is your country. One of the world's most important ancient cultures. I study a lot before I step foot on to foreign soils; the not wanting to be the Ugly American Complex mitigation attempt. Just don't expect me to learn drive there.
Great attitude, Dale. Regarding driving, some parts of the country are definitely better than others. :) In Naples, expect the occasional honk when you've stopped at a red light instead of running it to make a left turn. Along the Adriatic coast in the Marche region? Pretty standard driving.
Grazie Milena. Claudio Pavone made exactly this argument in the book Una guerra civile, proposing that the Resistenza was actually three conflicts: a war of liberation against the Germans, a civil war between Italians, and a class war.
When I arrived here a few years ago, in Bologna of all places, I began learning the nuance of the politics here. I was only in Italy for a few months at that time and Bologna exploded in April! I was born in the US and know the broad strokes of history of course but didn’t understand / comprehend the still open wound that the war brought. And another layer is that as I nomad around Italy looking for home, I’m fascinated that the impact is so different in different cities. I guess it should be obvious that political views vary widely but the political distance between one city and another around the war is astonishing.
Great piece. Such a complicated history, very well-explained. I've been trying to educate myself on some of this, but it seems there's always another layer. And at the core, the stark class distinctions rooted in the padrone/peasant relationship. It's not a very old country--but its problems are.
Absolutely. Thank you for reading, Eric.
Great artícle and deep analysis. As Spaniard, it reminds me a lot about a similar situation in Spain concerning our Civil War (1936-39), which after 90 years is still debated and a controversial topic for políticians.
Yes, many analogies. Thank you for your kind words, Enrique.
This was a fascinating read, Antonio! I did not know who Salvo d’Acquisto was and you did a great job of explaining the complicated history of the date. Bravissimo
Grazie mille, Eric. Thank you for reading.
Grazie Antonio! I travel. A place I have never been is is your country. One of the world's most important ancient cultures. I study a lot before I step foot on to foreign soils; the not wanting to be the Ugly American Complex mitigation attempt. Just don't expect me to learn drive there.
Ciao!
Great attitude, Dale. Regarding driving, some parts of the country are definitely better than others. :) In Naples, expect the occasional honk when you've stopped at a red light instead of running it to make a left turn. Along the Adriatic coast in the Marche region? Pretty standard driving.
Well how about this: I'm 78! Definitely not as quick as a Ferrari these days. And love slow travel!
See you on the bahn in my Mercedes C. Which is really a Ford Focus. . .
Fascinating article, thank you!
Thank you, Francine.
Avanti ragazzi di Buda is a much better song
Thank you Antonio
In plain English it was a civil war although it was never framed that way
Grazie Milena. Claudio Pavone made exactly this argument in the book Una guerra civile, proposing that the Resistenza was actually three conflicts: a war of liberation against the Germans, a civil war between Italians, and a class war.
Grazie ancora Antonio
Figurati. :)
Very well written and informative
Thank you so much, Suprio.
Really interesting! Thank you for breaking down the complexities. ✍️
My pleasure. Thank you for reading.