Every year the city places laurel wreaths at the most important patriotic monuments. The most elaborate one, with an aureole of palm, is placed at the tomb of Daniele Manin.
April 25, as I have reported on other occasions, is a double holiday in Venice: The anniversary of the liberation of Italy after World War II (this year marking the 70th milestone), and the feast day of San Marco, the city’s patron saint.
And gentlemen must acquire a long-stemmed red rose (the “bocolo,” in Venetian) to bestow on their lady love(s). Here, gondolier Marco Farnea buys two — one for his wife, the other for his gondola. It’s an extra-festive occasion, too, because it’s his name-day.
Either of those facts deserves reams, and reams are ready and waiting, thanks to phalanxes of historians.
I simply want to keep the world apprised — yes, I modestly claim to keep the WORLD apprised — of a date that deserves remembering. And here, it’s remembered twice.
First, the roses:
Marco pushes off with the next boatload of clients, the two roses lying at his feet.A quartet of firemen leaving the ceremony of the flag-raising in the Piazza — one is already armed with his rose.The Red Cross sells the roses at a booth in the Piazza (as well as sending volunteers around). All for a good cause.
Independent rose sellers are all over our neighborhood all day. They sell mimosa on International Woman’s Day and umbrellas when it’s raining.Yes, National Liberation Day is important, but this Venetian store makes it clear that tomorrow it will be closed because it’s San Marco’s day. Any other reason is just extra.Someone placed a bocolo on St. Paul’s altar in the basilica of San Marco. I’m baffled, but I’m still glad to see it there. And no, you’re not supposed to take pictures in the basilica. I’ll never do it again.
And second, the liberation itself, as seen in Venice.
The arrival of the Allied troops in Piazzale Roma on April 29, 1945. Lino remembers that everyone was saying “The Americans are here!” He ran with his friends to see them, and they all asked for chewing gum, and they got it, too.
And if we Australians were in Venice on 25 April, we would also be commemorating – our Anzac Day, the 100th anniversary of the landing (with New Zealanders – hence Australian New Zealand Army Corps) at Gallipoli in Turkey. A foolhardy but heroic venture in which 8,000 died over 8 months, commemorated on this day by thousands at home and in Turkey.
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And if we Australians were in Venice on 25 April, we would also be commemorating – our Anzac Day, the 100th anniversary of the landing (with New Zealanders – hence Australian New Zealand Army Corps) at Gallipoli in Turkey. A foolhardy but heroic venture in which 8,000 died over 8 months, commemorated on this day by thousands at home and in Turkey.
Unhappily, this year will see a number of “100th anniversary of”s such as this one. And next year, too, and the year after that, and after that.