Dantedì – a tribute to the father of Italian literature

Today, as every year on 25 March, marks the international day dedicated to Dante Alighieri, with events, readings and tributes in honour of the greatest poet of Italian literature.

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Dante Alighieri – the father of the vernacular and of Italian literature

A pivotal figure in the culture of our literature and language, Dante Alighieri – a shortened form of the name Durante – was born in Florence in 1265 and became fully immersed in the political life of the time, characterised by the division into factions between the Guelphs, who supported the Pope and municipal autonomy, and the Ghibellines, who upheld the authority of the Holy Roman Emperor.  Devoted to literary and philosophical studies from an early age, he is considered one of the fathers of the Stilnovo literary movement, and his work draws inspiration from his love for Beatrice Portinari, a central figure who would become the allegorical protagonist of many of his writings.

                                                      Dante Meets Beatrice at the Ponte Santa Trinità (1833) – oil painting by Henry Holiday

Forced to leave Florence for political reasons, Dante spent years moving between various Italian courts until he reached Ravenna, where he died in 1321. Throughout his life, he produced numerous works, including *Vita Nuova*, *De Monarchia*, *De Vulgari Eloquentia*, *Rime*, *Convivio*, *Epistole* and, above all, *The Divine Comedy*, his masterpiece par excellence, narrating the journey of the sinner Dante through the afterlife and serving as an allegory of human salvation, whilst also being regarded as a means of promoting the Florentine vernacular as a literary language.

Dantedì – how did it come about?

A national day dedicated to Dante, approved on 17 January 2020 following a proposal by the Minister of Culture, Dario Franceschini, in anticipation of the commemoration of the 700th anniversary of the poet’s death, Dantedì is celebrated on 25 March each year, as this date corresponds to the day in the year 1300, according to tradition, on which Dante is said to have begun his journey into the afterlife.

                                                                                    Illustration of Canto I of *Inferno* – Gustave Doré

The idea originated from an editorial by Paolo di Stefano, a journalist and writer, who proposed dedicating a specific day on the calendar to Dante, just as had previously been done for James Joyce. Di Stefano reiterated his proposal in *Corriere della Sera* on several occasions until it was approved.

Dantedì events

Featuring hundreds of initiatives including readings, performances, exhibitions, and school and academic events, Dantedì is celebrated throughout Italy, for example in:

• Ravenna – established as the national centre for the day as the city where the poet’s remains lie, there are public readings and cultural initiatives linked to the Divine Comedy.
• Rome – home to the International Dante Festival (15–30 March), featuring numerous theatrical and film events, as well as numerous exhibitions and a main event on 21 March at the Teatro Palladium. In the capital, it will also be possible to attend academic talks on Dante at the Guglielmo Marconi University, and take a stroll along the themed trail dedicated to *Inferno* at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia.
• Orvieto – an event entitled ‘Waiting for Dantedì – Paradise’, preceding the inauguration of the local Dante Alighieri Society.
• Narni – readings at Palazzo Eroli

The events are spread across the entire peninsula, allowing the general public to take part in the scheduled guided tours as well. 

Click here to find out more about the museum where the exhibition will be held!

                                                                                             Dante, fresco, 1499–1502 – Luca Signorelli

Don’t miss the many events dedicated to the great poet!

Discover the exhibition dedicated to Dante in Rome too!