25 April is not just a date to commemorate, it is an ethical and civil reference point that demands to be renewed every year in thought and action. Celebrating Liberation from Nazi-Fascism does not only mean honouring the courage of those who fought to restore our freedom, but above all questioning how much of that freedom we are able to preserve, exercise and defend today.
For this reason, even in the metaverse of Craft World — a place where imagination meets dialogue — we have decided to take some time for reflection.
We have decided to strongly affirm that freedom is a treasure to be nurtured, shared and protected. We choose to listen, to exchange ideas and to ask ourselves genuine questions. Guiding us on this journey, with her usual sensitivity and expertise, will be Professor Lorenza Colicigno.
At a time when rights are being progressively curtailed and public debate is being emptied of content, leaving room for slogans and simplifications, the value of this day seems even more relevant and necessary. Democracy, which was made possible in Italy on 25 April, is never a given. It is a fragile balance that requires political culture, civic sense and collective vigilance. And today, unfortunately, we often witness its silent erosion.
The vulgarity that has entered politics is not just a matter of style. It is a symptom. The degradation of public language mirrors the degradation of thought and the weakening of democratic debate. Where there is simplification, where there is insult, where opponents are delegitimised instead of responding to their arguments, a gap is created between citizens and institutions. This is where the ground is prepared for authoritarianism.
We are living in an era in which globalisation is giving way to a resurgence of nationalism and autocracy, where rights are being systematically dismantled in the name of security, order or tradition. It is a long and dangerous wave that crosses borders and continents. In many countries, including European ones, attempts are being made to reduce the space for dissent, to concentrate executive power, to undermine the independence of the judiciary and to control information. This is exactly what the Resistance fought against.
In this scenario, not voting is equivalent to turning a blind eye while your destiny is being decided. The right to vote is an achievement that has required struggle and sacrifice, and it is one of the most powerful tools we have to exercise our freedom. Those who choose not to vote, those who abandon participation, renounce their right to be an active part of the future. You cannot defend freedom by remaining silent. You cannot demand a fairer democracy if you give up the simplest but most decisive gesture: putting a cross on the ballot paper and making an informed choice.
25 April, therefore, also reminds us of this duty: to remember where we come from, so that we do not lose sight of the direction we want to take. Because freedom is not just a word to be uttered in solemn speeches. Freedom is responsibility, awareness and daily commitment. It is the courage to defend fundamental values even when it is difficult, even when it seems easier to conform.
Freedom is an indivisible good: if it is denied to someone, it is threatened for everyone. So, on this day that celebrates liberation, let us remember that freedom is not inherited: it is won, defended and renewed. Every day.
We look forward to seeing you at 9.30 p.m. in the Piu Donna Zero Violenza region.
To access the Craft World Metaverse, you must register an avatar HERE
You must also download a programme to view the world. I recommend FirestormOS, which can be downloaded HERE after selecting your operating system
Taxi: hop://craft-world.org:8002/PiuDonnaZeroViolenza/112/141/23
