Women's Day in Italy
La Festa della Donna
Material for learning Italian about Women’s Day in Italian for A1/A2. Suitable for classroom and self-study.
Women’s Day has been an international event since 1977. This day commemorates the social and political struggles that gave women the rights that have always been normal for men.
However, giving mimosa flowers (it. la mimosa, pl. le mimose) is a purely Italian custom.
Why do Italians give mimosas?
In 1946, Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time throughout Italy. It was organised by the women of the UDI (Unione Donne Italiane – Union of Italian Women) and mimosa flowers were chosen as the symbol for the day.
Why the mimosa? The mimosa is beautiful, unusual, blooms between February and March and is inexpensive, so anyone can give it as a gift (although the prices of mimosa bouquets usually rise sharply on Women’s Day!).
The mimosa was also chosen for its characteristics: It is a flower that can grow on difficult terrain despite its apparent fragility. Perfect for representing women!
For over 70 years, it has been a tradition in Italy to give beautiful yellow mimosa flowers to women – whether wives, sisters or mothers – on 8 March!