Dantedì – a tribute to the father of Italian literature

Every year on 25 March, Dantedì is celebrated – the national day dedicated to Dante Alighieri – with events, readings and initiatives across Italy to pay tribute to the great poet. Born in Florence in 1265, Dante was a central figure in Italian culture, regarded as the father of the vernacular and one of the leading exponents of the Stilnovo movement. He played an active role in the political life of his time, marked by the conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, but was forced into exile, living at various Italian courts until his death in Ravenna in 1321.

His literary output is extensive and includes works such as Vita Nuova, De Monarchia and Convivio, but his masterpiece remains the Divine Comedy, an allegory of the journey into the afterlife and a symbol of human salvation, which was also fundamental to the spread of the Florentine vernacular.

Dantedì was established in 2020 on the proposal of Minister Dario Franceschini, with 25 March chosen as it is traditionally considered the start of the journey narrated in the Comedy. The idea originated from an editorial by Paolo Di Stefano.

The day is celebrated with numerous cultural initiatives in cities such as Ravenna, Rome, Orvieto and Narni, including public readings, performances, exhibitions and academic events, engaging a wide audience across the peninsula.

Read more here.