Italy marks 80th anniversary of Republic with Miss Italia revamp and Festa de l'Unità events

The Miss Italia pageant will celebrate its 80th anniversary in Rome from 1‑3 September 2026, with about 200 candidates competing in a new audition format that emphasizes talent, personality and on‑camera communication rather than a traditional runway. Patron Patrizia Mirigliani linked the celebration to the founding year of the Italian Republic and the first women’s vote in 1946.

In Castel San Pietro, the Democratic Party’s Festa de l'Unità runs from 12‑18 August 2026 under the slogan “1946‑2026. Un’ottima scelta”. The festival combines political debates and speeches by figures such as Francesca Farolfi, Stefano Bonaccini, and other regional PD leaders with food stalls, live music and comedy, marking eight decades of the Republic and women’s suffrage.