April 25: The "sobriety" of the government and the civil reaction. A memory to be defended, never to be weakened

The invitation of the right-wing Italian government to celebrate April 25 with “sobriety,” in the wake of the national mourning proclaimed for the death of Pope Francis, has provoked an outcry not only on the political and civil level, but also on the legal and symbolic level. In a historical phase marked by identity tensions and divergent narratives on national memory, this institutional indication appears at the very least unfortunate.

An insult to the celebration of democracy

Liberation Day is not a simple ceremonial event: it is the celebration of the rebirth of Italian democracy, of the repudiation of fascism, and of the establishment of a State founded on the constitutional principles of freedom, equality and participation. Calling for “sobriety” — an ambiguous term in itself — sounds like an implicit reprimand, a form of emotional containment that many interpret as an attempt to weaken the public expression of a collective memory that is still alive.

As ANPI has highlighted, “Liberation is not a rave party”, but neither is it a sad rite to be relegated to discretion. It is, rather, a declaration of civil commitment, of democratic vigilance, and of historical recognition towards those who fought for freedom.

Silence disguised as sobriety: a legal vacuum

From a strictly legal point of view, the term “sobriety” is devoid of normative value. There is no provision in our legal system that defines what should be understood, in fact, by “sobriety” in civil celebrations. Such lexical vagueness makes it inapplicable as a binding legal criterion. In constitutional terms, moreover, a directive of this nature clashes with the principle of freedom of expression (art. 21 of the Constitution) and with the freedom of expression of thought also through commemorative and public forms (art. 17 of the Constitution).

What in a constitutional democracy is not clearly defined in terms of obligation cannot and must not become an instrument of control of collective feeling.

The opposition's response: a duty of historical vigilance

The parliamentary opposition reacted harshly. A joint motion asked the Government to commit to “respecting historical truth” and protecting the authentic meaning of April 25. The mayor of Milan, Beppe Sala, expressed the perplexity of many: “What does it mean to celebrate with sobriety? Who decides the limit between enthusiasm and sobriety?”.

The ANPI responded in clear tones: "The Liberation is not a rave party, but not even a funeral mass. It is a popular celebration and cannot be diminished with formulas of circumstance". A position shared by many intellectuals and constitutionalists who have underlined how the risk is that of a normalization of revisionism , disguised as institutional respect.

An active, non-decorative memory

In this climate, it is even more urgent to reaffirm the right and duty to participate, celebrate, remember. Not with rhetoric, but with civil pride. Not with "sobriety", but with full democratic awareness. Because every time we try to empty April 25 of its meaning, we call into question what Italy has become thanks to that Liberation.

In our time, marked by the resurgence of authoritarian and xenophobic rhetoric, reducing Liberation Day to a “sober” commemoration risks emptying of meaning an event that has a pedagogical, as well as symbolic, function. It is the voice of the Republic that, every year, reminds itself where it comes from and towards which model of civilization it wants to continue to move.

Sobriety, if imposed, is not respect. It is reticence. And April 25 is not the day of silence: it is the day in which Italy has reclaimed its voice. It is not reduced. It is not sweetened. It is lived. With a loud voice and with a vigilant memory.