Replying to @Dario 3 million people have watched the first versions of this video, and this is one of my favorite comments on it.
👀 Here’s why:
📍 APRIL 25 is celebrated in Italy as Liberation Day: the end of World War II, yes, but also as the official “victory” over Italian f@sc¡sm and liberation from Mussolini’s friends, the German N@z¡s.
🕊️ These clips are from last year’s Liberation Day parade in Milan, celebrating the 80th anniversary of liberation in Italy with a HUGE march for peace in P@lest¡ne and Ukr@¡ne. Local newspapers reported 90,000 participants.
But the Italians comments on that video, as well as the last decade or so of politics in my home country 🇺🇸 prove that the “victory” wasn’t quite as clean or final as any of us were taught in school.
Maybe it’s always been like that, and always will be - that we’ll always have to fight against ugly ideas like baseless superiority and bigotry.
But at least today is a good reminder that someone was able to do it once. And a relative kind of peace lasted for a few decades. ☮
So I have to believe we can do it again, if we keep caring about each other, talking to each other, and reminding ourselves that our ugliest impulses are just ideas, and we can choose to ignore them.
We can always choose to be the better versions of ourselves, but we have to remember it’s not a one-and-done choice.
Auguri per il 25 aprile! 🇮🇹 Happy Liberation Day.
👉 If you want more thoughtful content on travel & sustainability (especially in Italy, where I lived for 3 years) my page and my newsletter are for you. ✌️
Experiencing Italy’s Liberation Day celebrations firsthand offered me profound reflections on the resilience of democracy and the universal fight against oppression. Every year on April 25, Italians commemorate not only the end of World War II but also the definitive rejection of fascism that once gripped their nation. The parade in Milan, which last year drew around 90,000 people, stands as a living reminder that freedom is precious and must be actively protected. What struck me most during these celebrations was the dual message of victory and ongoing vigilance. While the liberation marked a historical defeat of Mussolini’s regime and its allies, the march also emphasized solidarity with contemporary struggles for peace, notably in Palestine and Ukraine. This contemporary connection of past triumphs with present challenges poignantly illustrates that democracy and peace require continuous effort and dialogue. Reflecting on the comment highlighted in the video, it’s clear that liberation is not a simple, one-time achievement. Instead, it’s a process—sometimes messy and incomplete. The discussion around the day reveals how old wounds and societal divisions persist, reminding us that vigilance against ideas of supremacy and bigotry is crucial. Civically engaged citizens everywhere can take inspiration from this, recognizing that democracy demands our personal commitment and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. From my experience living in Italy, Liberation Day represents more than historical remembrance; it embodies hope and collective responsibility. By embracing care, communication, and education, we can reject harmful impulses and choose peace over conflict. Italy’s celebration urges us to be mindful that freedom and equality aren’t guaranteed; they are ideals we must nurture every day. For travelers and global citizens, participating in or observing these events offers a powerful example of how local history shapes global conversations around human rights and justice. It's a reminder that by learning from the past and valuing empathy, we shape a more peaceful future for all. Embracing such values is essential not only in Italy but worldwide, highlighting the shared human journey toward a better, freer world.
