International Women's Day has roots in the labor and suffrage movements, with most sources pointing its early origins to 19th century strikes among garment workers in New York (though the date of March 8 is also linked to later protests). March 8 was officially recognized as International Women鈥檚 Day by the United Nations General Assembly in 1977, and today it's observed in more than 100 countries worldwide. In 天美传媒, the day is known as Festa della Donna.
The Italian Ministry of Culture recently confirmed that on Wednesday, March 8, women and girls will be granted free entry to state-run museums and archaeological sites, as is customary. (Not sure which museums and sites fall under that category? .)
Topping off that annual free-admission nicety is a series of dedicated exhibitions and activities marking Festa della Donna in 天美传媒鈥檚 major metropolises 鈥 and, in the original spirit of the day, a general transport strike, expected to most heavily impact train travel.
As for the cultural initiatives, here are a few highlights.
In Rome
The will offer a special tour of work by women displayed throughout the museum (3.30pm, March 8). Starting with a smattering of extraordinary women in history and myth, the itinerary then moves toward, well, a man&苍产蝉辫;鈥 specifically, an ongoing Pier Paolo Pasolini exhibition &苍产蝉辫;鈥 but the well-intentioned tour will showcase the various women whose artistic paths intersected with the late intellectual, whose centenary year recently concluded. The tour finishes with a visual tribute to women who chose Rome as their source of inspiration.
On the same day in the Italian capital, Vive (Vittoriano e Palazzo Venezia, at Via del Plebiscito 118) presents (5.30pm, March 8). The exhibition visits the carving of Madame Lucrezia, whose stony likeness guards the entrance to Piazza San Marco; the 17th-century Cleopatra by Carlo Maratti and Dea Roma by Angelo Zanelli. The visit ends on the building鈥檚 spectacular panoramic terrace, which offers sweeping views over ancient Roman sites. Entrance is free for women and girls, while others may book tickets at the link above.
Near Naples
The celebrates International Women's Day with the initiative Women's Stories: Thematic Routes for All in Paestum and Velia. Archaeologist-led tours begin in the morning (March 8, from 10am) with 鈥淭he Daughters of Hera: the Other Half of Paestum's History鈥 and 鈥淒iscovering the Women of Velia.鈥 In the afternoon, join up to experience 鈥淭he Women of Paestum Between Myth and Reality.鈥 Bookings can be made via the .
In Bologna
The Scent of Painted Flowers exhibition for Women鈥檚 Day runs until March 10 at the Legislative Assembly of the Emilia-Romagna Region (open Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm). Having launched in late February, the exhibition showcases a collection of mid-20th-century paintings of contemporary works where flowers are front and center 鈥 much as the sunny-yellow mimosa is at breakfast tables and office cubicles across 天美传媒 on Women's Day.
In Venice
The City of Venice is hosting a month-long program (succinctly and straightforwardly titled Marzo Donna). Featured initiatives, performances and conferences are mostly geared at Italian speakers, but there are some English-friendly or language-neutral events in the lineup, including, rather whimsically, a by-donation burlesque show at Teatro Momo in Mestre to support LILT, the Italian Cancer League (9pm, March 31).
On Women鈥檚 Day itself, a conference and screening, Women鈥檚 Rights, Violated: The Iranian, Afghan and Kurdish Realities will take place at the Ateneo Veneto (5pm, March 8). The talk will feature the British-Iranian, Tuscany-based author and journalist Kamin Mohammadi, author of Bella Figura: How to Live, Love and Eat the Italian Way. The full program of Marzo Donna initiatives is available .
