April 25th is not just another date in the calendar for me; it’s a day deeply woven into the fabric of who I am. It’s the day we commemorate Italy’s liberation from Nazi-fascism, a day that marks not only the end of oppression but the beginning of a new, freer era. For those who lived through it, April 25th is a celebration of resistance, resilience, and the courage of those who fought for a better future.
This day holds an even deeper meaning for me because of the way I was raised. I grew up in a family divided by two very different memories of Italy’s past. On one side, there was the pain of fascism and the wounds that it left on the people. On the other, there were those who, long after the war, continued to feel the sting of division. In my house, I heard both Giovinezza, the anthem of the fascist regime, and Bella ciao, the song of the Resistance.
As a child, I didn’t understand the full weight of these songs. They were just melodies to me, carrying no political meaning – at least, not at first. I sang them because they were part of my world, not realizing they reflected such deep historical conflicts. But as I grew older, the meaning of those songs unfolded before me. Each song told a different part of our history, a history filled with both pain and hope. I began to see how both of these melodies were tied to the same story, and how, in their stark contrast, they represented the very core of our journey as a nation.
The beauty of April 25th isn’t just in celebrating freedom; it’s in acknowledging all parts of our past. Today, when I hear Bella ciao, it’s a call to remember the partisans who fought, who gave their lives for the freedom I enjoy today. Their courage is what keeps the flame of liberty alive. But I also recognize that Giovinezza is part of that same history, even though it’s painful to remember. We can’t erase the darker moments of our past if we truly want to understand the sacrifices that shaped the Italy we have today. Freedom is built on understanding the full complexity of our history, with all its contradictions and conflicts.
Growing up in a family with such starkly opposing views taught me an important lesson: strength comes from embracing our differences, not hiding from them. The real challenge isn’t in choosing one side over the other; it’s in facing both sides, accepting the full picture, and learning from it. Only then can we grow as individuals and as a nation. Understanding this has helped me realize that our freedom wasn’t handed to us—it was earned through struggle, sacrifice, and a commitment to building a better future.
As an Italian living abroad, April 25th reminds me how fragile freedom is, how easily it can be taken for granted, and how important it is to protect it. The partisans gave their lives so we could live in a free world. It’s our duty to honor them, not just by remembering, but by standing up for those values each and every day.
When I sing Bella ciao, I remember the strength of the people who fought for a better future, for the future I’m able to live in today. And even though Giovinezza represents a painful chapter in our history, I recognize that it too is part of the story that brought us here. The 25th of April is not about picking sides, but about embracing every part of our past, learning from it, and committing ourselves to building a future that reflects the values of justice, freedom, and unity.
