Italy: National day marked with muted celebrations

Rome: Italy marked its National Day this week with muted celebrations due to the coronavirus.

National Day marks the proclamation of the Italian Republic in 1946 and is usually celebrated with a parade. This year, smaller celebrations are taking place.

On Tuesday morning, Italy’s Frecce Tricolori aerobatic display team conducted a fly-past over Rome.

Italy’s president and prime minister attended a ceremony in the capital where they laid flowers on the tomb of the unknown soldier. Images show people at the ceremony all wearing face masks.

President Sergio Mattarella said in a message that the country has faced “unprecedented difficulties” which still require “unity, responsibility and cohesion”.

He added that Italy will have to “face the consequences for a long time”. More than 33,000 people have died from the virus in Italy.