“We are the Republic. Each of us.” It is from this phrase from the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella that one of the most significant initiatives launched on the occasion of the eightieth anniversary of the Italian Republic on June 2nd has taken shape: a participatory project that invites citizens to tell, through short videos shot with their cell phones, what the Republic represents for them.
Promoted by the Presidency of the Republic and hosted in the institutional context of the Quirinale Palace, the initiative is part of the celebration of 80 years since the birth of the Italian Republic, with the aim of building a live and participatory digital archive of the country’s civil memory.
A Republic told by the citizens
The heart of the project is simple: answering the question “What is the Republic for you?” through short videos. The testimonies are collected online as they arrive (you can see them here) and make up a mosaic of voices from all Italian regions.
Among the contributions already published there are citizens such as Riccardo from Bergamo, Charlotte from Rome, Manuela from Roccella Jonica and Claudio from Milan. Added to these are other faces and stories that make the project a choral and widespread narrative of the country.
In one of the most cited videos, the actor and comedian Claudio Bisio states: “We are the Republic, who with our hard work build it day by day”, underlining the concrete and daily dimension of democracy.
There is also the contribution of Jasmine Paolini, which links the concept of the Republic to sport and the sense of team: “For me the Republic is representing the colors of the nation, remaining united as a team, with commitment and dedication”.
Among the most shared testimonies is also that of Checco from Bari, identified in the comedian and musician Checco Zalone, who summarizes his thoughts thus: “For me the Republic is freedom, and when you are free you feel like a king”.
Participation open to all
The initiative is open to all Italian citizens or adults resident in Italy. Minors can only participate with parental permission. The declared objective is to build a living archive made up of people of all ages and backgrounds, in which the Republic takes shape through real and daily experiences.
The official Quirinale website links to a dedicated platform where you can upload your videos and take part in the project.
A party for the 80th anniversary of the Republic
The celebrations will culminate on 2 June, the anniversary of the 1946 referendum, with a big party in the square of the Quirinale Palace, broadcast live on television. A symbolic moment that unites institutions and citizens in memory of the republican choice.
