9th annual Festa della Repubblica at Pompeii

Comitato Tricolore Italiani nel Mondo has been organizing Festa della Repubblica at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii since 2008. We did it to bring the entire community together, similar to Columbus Day, which is a celebration that every Italian American should support. Unlike Columbus Day, which is a celebration of our contributions to America, Festa della Repubblica celebrates Italy in all its modern glory. As Italian Americans, it’s important that we gather as a community to celebrate our ancestral home.

As many of you know, the Italian Consulate also holds a Festa della Repubblica, and we fully support that event, too. It’s the Italian government’s official celebration of the creation of the Italian republic, but it’s invitation only and it’s only a reception. Ours is open to the entire community and it includes the only parade held in honor of la Festa della Repubblica in the United States. Our event has been broadcast around the world by Italian internet news agencies. When Italian Undersecretary of State Roberto Menia made a special trip to Chicago to participate in last year’s event, he was impressed with how patriotic we are here in Chicago. C.G.I.E.’s U.S. representative, Vincenzo Arcobelli, joined us at this year’s celebration.

We hold our celebration in the Taylor Street neighborhood because of its proximity to downtown and its historical importance to our community, and to support one of the last Italian churches in the Chicago area. We cherish the support of many local Italian organizations, including ARSA, Santa Fara di Cinisi, San Leoluca da Corleone, San Giovanni Bosco, SS. Crocifisso di Ciminna, Santa Caterina Villarmosa, Beato Giovanni Liccio, SS. Crocifisso di Ciminna, San Giuseppe di Casteldaccia, San Biagio Platani, Associazione Regionale Campania and the Mola Foundation. We look forward to including your organization in future celebrations.

— Carlo Vaniglia