While Italian mamme are worshipped all year round, they’re particularly celebrated on the Festa della mamma, or Mother’s Day.
Similar to Australia and the US, Italians observe Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May and, though an important day, it’s not recognised as a public holiday.
Mother’s Day was first introduced to Italians by the fascist regime in 1933.
Dubbed La giornata della madre e del fanciullo, or the day of mother and child, the annual event took place in tribute to all mothers bearing fascist sons who would ensure the regime’s success and longevity.
When World War II came to an end, the tradition took on a less political meaning, becoming first celebrated on May 12, 1957 in Assisi under the direction of Reverend Otello Migliosi, the parish priest of the church in Tordibetto.
The day was such a success that the following year saw the entire Belpaese adopt what was soon to become a longstanding annual tradition.
Nowadays, the Festa della mamma is an opportunity for children to return home and families to reunite, enjoying each other’s company and showing gratitude for the woman at the centre of it all.
More often than not, the mother is pampered and showered with gifts, poems and flowers, while she is forbidden from doing any jobs.
Many Italian children will prepare a breakfast of pastries and coffee for their mother, while the whole family will enjoy a celebratory lunch topped off with a cake – often heart-shaped.
Though many Italians move away from their hometown as they grow older and embark on their studies or a career, many people make sure to send a gift and card in the mail and call their mamma for a lengthy chat.
In fact, urban legend has it that Italian phone companies record their highest volume of phone calls on the Festa della mamma.
Whether that finding is fact or myth, one thing is certain: every Italian mamma is a queen in her children’s eyes, and is treated accordingly not only on the second Sunday of May, but every day of the year.
