Festa della Repubblica Events in San Francisco

 

As la Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day) approaches, San Francisco’s Italian Community is preparing for three events that have marked the day for decades in the City by the Bay. Besides the invitation-only celebration hosted by the Italian Consulate each year, San Francisco will pay special tribute to la patria on both ends of town.

 

On Sunday, June 2, the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club (SFIAC) will host its 93rd Annual Running of the Statuto Race.  The San Francisco race was first run in 1920 in honor of the Statuto Albertino, the document by which Charles Albert, King of Sardegna, in effect created a constitution that laid the groundwork for the full unification of Italy two decades later. While the original Statuto Albertino was signed on May 4th, the SFIAC changed the celebration date to June 2nd to coincide with Republic Day in 1948.  It was on that day that the new, post-war constitution became effective in Italy (replacing the Statuto Albertino).

 

The SFIAC’s Statuto Race will be run again this year on Sunday, June 2nd, starting and ending at the SFIAC’s headquarters at 1630 Stockton Street in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco.  Those wishing to run in the race can register for $30 if paid by May 27th, or $35 thereafter.  An application can be downloaded by visiting the SFIAC’s website:  www. SFIAC.org   Proceeds benefit the non-profit organization, Standup to Cancer.

 

Also on June 2nd, the annual Italian Day in the Park will once again be held at the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park.  Under the auspices of Italian Community Services, the casual and fun event will once again present a program of Italian music and camaraderie.  Lead by Maria Fassio Pignati, State President of the Order Sons of Italy in America, the program will feature special selections from the works of Giuseppe Verdi, whose 200th birthday celebration is part of this year’s 2013 Year of Italian Culture in the United States. 

 

The Verdi statue behind the band shell in Golden Gate Park will once again be the focus of attention when the customary laying of a memorial wreath commemorating Giuseppe Verdi’s contributions to the world of music will take place.  Along with Cav. Pignatti, the wreath will be placed by the Honorable Mauro Battocchi, Consul General of Italy in San Francisco.

 

All are invited to attend the festivities at the Music Concourse, across from the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, on Sunday, June 2nd from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M.