Writing a History of Broken Continuity: the One Hundred Years of Italian Unification Celebrations
Bulletin of Italian Politics Vol. 4, No. 1, 2012, 23-48 Writing a History of Broken Continuity: The One Hundred Years of Italian Unification Celebrations Samantha Owen University of Wales, Newport Abstract: One hundred years of united Italy were officially celebrated in 1961 with an exposition named ‘Italia ’61’. Held in united Italy’s first capital, the northern city of Turin, and comprising three major exhibitions, Historical, Regional and International, the common themes selected were unity, continuity and work, and emphasis was placed on conveying an understanding that the process of nation- building was complete. While the Regional and International exhibitions were constructed in the new Italia ’61 Park, the Historical Exhibition was shown in the Palazzo Carignano in the historic centre of the city. In the late-1950s, a curatorial team was appointed and charged with narrating the history of Italian unification in such a way that was befitting for the new Republic of Italy. This article is a study of the Historical Exhibition at Italia ’61 and it questions the extent of ‘regime’ change that took place in Republican Italy. Keywords: national celebration, Risorgimento, Italia ’61, memory In 1961 one hundred years of united Italy were officially celebrated at an exposition 1 entitled ‘Italia ’61’. Held in Turin, united Italy’s first capital city, the intention of the exposition was that through three major exhibitions – Historical, Regional and International – national and international visitors would view the ‘principal moments of the Risorgimento and the progress made in Italy in 100 years of national life’ (Comitato Turin ’61, 1962). The common themes selected for the main exhibitions were unity, continuity and work, and emphasis was placed on conveying an understanding that the process of nation-building was complete.
[Show full text]