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WHAT CHANGES IN ITALY

On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this week

From transport strikes to special national heritage site open days, here’s what to expect in Italy this week.

Published: 18 March 2024 09:03 CET
On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this week
Milan's transport system is set to face disruption and delays on Friday. Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP.

Monday

Local public transport strike

Public transport workers in various Italian cities have called a local transport strike on Monday, March 18th.

The strike includes workers from four transport companies in Sicily, who have said they will strike from 9.30-1.30pm, as well as in Parma, Frosinone, Ravenna, and Capri, at different windows throughout the day.

You can find details of upcoming strikes on the website of Italy’s transport ministry.

Tuesday

Father’s Day

Unlike many other countries, which mark the day on the third Sunday in June, Italy celebrates Father’s Day (La festa del papà) on March 19th.

This is the feast day of San Giuseppe (St Joseph), known as the patron saint of fathers and carpenters.

The day is marked in Italy with sweet treats which vary by region, including cream-filled bignè di San Giuseppe or Zeppole di San Giuseppe, made from baked or fried choux pastry.

Thursday 

Mafia Victims Remembrance Day

One Thursday, March 21st Italy marks ‘Mafia Victims Remembrance Day’, an occasion created in 2017 to honour victims of mafia violence in Italy.

This year the anti-mafia organisation Libera has organised a vigil in Santa Maria in Trastevere in Rome on Wednesday evening, followed by a procession through the city on Thursday morning at the end of which victims’ names will be read out.

Italy has officially marked Mafia Victims Remembrance Day on March 21st since 2017. Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP.

Friday 

Milan transport strike

Staff of Milan’s public transport operator ATM have declared a 24-hour strike on Friday, March 22nd to protest worker shortages and low salaries.

READ ALSO: Key dates: How Italy will be hit by transport strikes in March

The walkout is expected to effect metro, tram and bus services, though it was unclear on Monday how many staff would participate. Services are guaranteed from the start of service until 8.45am and between 3 and 6pm.

It’s expected that Trenord and Trenitalia trains will not be affected by the strike.

Roma World opens in Rome

Roma World, a theme park based around ancient Rome located next to the Cinecittà film studio, reopens for its 2024 spring season on Friday, March 22nd.

The park features gladiator shows, a falconry experience, an archery competition, and a mosaic-making workshop.

This year visitors will also be able to see ‘Rome on Fire’, an evening live show on the set of the blockbuster Ben Hur.

Visitors to Roma World will have the opportunity to dress up in a centurion’s armour. Photo by STRINGER / AFP.

Weekend

FAI spring days

Italy’s equivalent of the National Trust, the Italian Environment Fund (FAI), is holding its Giornate FAI di primavera or ‘FAI Spring Days’ on Saturday, March 23rd and Sunday, March 24th this year.

From private villas and gardens to castles, abbeys and libraries, hidden gems normally off limits to the public will be opened up for two days in this biannual event repeated just once in the autumn.

Entry to all 750 sites across 400 Italian cities is free and donation-based.

Nationwide train strike 

Staff at Italy’s state-owned railway company Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), which includes Trenitalia and Trenord, as well as staff from Italo, plan to strike from 9pm on Saturday, March 23rd to 9pm on Sunday, March 24th.

The protest is expected to affect long-distance services as well as regional and local routes.

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For members

WHAT CHANGES IN ITALY

On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this week

From a nationwide public transport strike to talks over a contested electoral reform, here’s what to expect in Italy this week.

Published: 5 May 2024 10:23 CEST
On the agenda: What's happening in Italy this week

Monday

Nationwide public transport strike 

Commuters in Italy may face delays and/or cancellations on Monday, May 6th as staff at public transport operators around the country plan to strike for 24 hours. 

The protest, which is backed by some of Italy’s largest transport unions, may affect the normal operation of bus, subway and tram services but shouldn’t impact scheduled interregional and long-distance train journeys. 

The level of disruption caused by the walkout will vary from city to city, with services in large metropolitan areas currently expected to be among the most heavily affected. 

READ ALSO: The transport strikes that will hit travel in Italy in May 2024

All public transport operators in Italy are required to provide a number of ‘minimum services’ (servizi minimi) during strikes, but their exact times will vary by city and operator. 

Rai journalists’ 24-hour strike 

Scheduled TV and radio programmes from Italy’s state network Rai may be subject to changes at the start of this week as journalists with the broadcaster plan to take part in a 24-hour strike starting at 5.30pm on Monday, May 6th and ending at 5.30pm on Tuesday, May 7th. 

The walkout was called by reporters’ trade union Usigrai in late April in protest against “the suffocating control” exerted over their work by the current right-wing administration and recent attempts “to reduce Rai to a megaphone for the government”, the union said.

Tennis fever in Rome

The 2024 edition of the Internazionali d’Italia – Italy’s most prestigious tennis tournament – will unfold at Rome’s Foro Italico venue from Monday, May 6th to Sunday, May 19th.

Rome’s city council has estimated that some 350,000 fans will attend this year’s tournament.

A general view of the Nicola Pietrangeli court during the Internazionali di Roma tennis tournament

A view of the Nicola Pietrangeli court during the Internazionali di Roma tennis tournament in May 2023. Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP

Wednesday

Senate to discuss plan for direct election of PM

Italy’s upper chamber of parliament will on Wednesday, May 8th, discuss a contested draft law proposing an overhaul of the country’s electoral system.

The planned reform would change article 92 of the Italian Constitution, allowing voters to directly elect the prime minister, creating a system which critics say isn’t found in any other democratic nation in the world.

Thursday

Turin’s International Book Fair

The Salone Internazionale del Libro – Italy’s largest book fair – will return to Turin’s Lingotto Fiere exhibition space on Thursday, May 9th.

As usual, the festival will feature a variety of talks, shows and workshops, with Vita Immaginaria (‘Imaginary Life’) being the central theme of this year’s edition.

Further info on the event can be found here.

Sunday

Air traffic controllers’ strike at Milan’s Malpensa airport

Passengers flying to or from Milan’s Malpensa airport may face disruption on Sunday, May 12th as staff at air traffic control agency Enav plan to strike from 1pm to 5pm.

At the time of writing, no airline had announced changes to the departure or arrival time of scheduled flights to or from Malpensa on Sunday, but potential delays or cancellations couldn’t be ruled out. 

All passengers planning to fly to or from Malpensa on May 12th are advised to check the status of their journey with the relevant airline before setting off.

An interior view of Terminal 1 at Milan's Malpensa Airport

An interior view of Terminal 1 at Milan’s Malpensa Airport in March 2008. Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP

Mother’s Day

Sunday, May 12th will mark Italy’s Mother’s Day (or Festa della Mamma in Italian).

Formally established in 1958, Italy’s Mother’s Day originally fell on May 8th but was moved to the second Sunday of May in 2000 to align the Italian calendar with the American one.

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