April 25th, a completely Italian party: discover the history 2017/04/25

Let’s make a trip through history!

Let’s go back to the Second World War era, in the period between 1939 and 1945.

In 1943, Italy divided in two parts: up north Benito Mussolini and fascists had founded the Italian Social Republic, with ideas close to those of Hitler and Nazis.

On the other hand, in the south, Badoglio governed in collaboration with the American and British allies.

With the sole purpose of fighting fascism, a part of the population formed by men and women, old and young, priests, soldiers, people of different social classes and religions joined secretly in a movement called Resistance. The Italian partisans, as they called these people who opposed fascism and the troops of Nazi occupation, wanted to give back democracy and equality to Italy by fighting with their own means.

On the 25th of April of 1945, the partisans in accordance with the allies, came in victorious in the main cities of Italy expelling the Regime and recovering the democratic ideals. They freed Italy of fascism and this is why we talk about Liberation Day.

The date coincides with the party dedicated to Saint Marcos the Evangelist, patron of the city of Venice and is represented with a lion.

In the lagoon city, Venice, husbands and boyfriends give their wives and girlfriends red roses in a button as a symbol of love.

This tradition originates from a love story with a sad ending, between Mary, daughter of the dux (meaning, chief of state) of Venice and Tancredi, a local young man. The dux opposed to their love, but Tancredi went to fight alongside Charlemagne to win fame in the eyes of Maria’s father.

Unfortunately, Tancredi died in that battle falling on top of a rose bush. He managed to grab a rose stained with his blood and asked his comrades to take it to his loved one.

The day after receiving the rose, 25th of April, Maria was found lifeless while holding the flower she got. This is why the rose button is a symbol of true and pure love.

For these reasons, in Italy, on the 25th of April, one of the most important festivities of the country is celebrated.