GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI 1501h ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

DRAFT PROPOSAL

DATE: 29th April2013

This letter sets out a draft proposal for discussion for the celebration of the !50th Anniversary

of Giuseppe Garibaldi' s visit to London in April 1864.

This letter is not exhaustive and is not intended to be definitive.

1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Accepting an invitation from his British supporters of his fight for Italian and still suffering from bullet wounds to his ankle and thigh after the battle of Aspromonte in

Sicily in August 1862, Garibaldi docked at Southampton on the 3rd April 1864 and was met by the Duke of Sutherland and enthusiastic crowds.

After a short sojourn in Southampton and a v.isit to Alfred Tennyson who had written in praise of the "warrior of Caprera". He travelled by train draped with the Italian

flag to London. He arrived at Clapham station to an awaiting crowd so numerous that the journey from Clapham to Stafford House, a journey of 3 miles took 6 hours. Once

at Stafford House he me Gladstone, Palmerston, Florence Nightingale, Lord Russell

and other members of the Government. His visit did not meet with universal

approval. Fearful of the consequences of this visit, Queen Victoria, Camillo Cavour and Karl Marx were not supportive. Frederich Engels quipped that April fool's day

had been extended to the whole of the month. However, Giuseppe Mazzini saw this as a golden opportunity to raise the profile of the national struggle and hoped that Garibaldi's would tour the provinces to galvanise further support for independence. This was not to be as his visit was cut short ostensibly due to ill health but also

probably as a result of political pressure.

On the 20th April shortly before leaving London he was invited to the Guildhall in

the City of London and was given the Freedom of the City to which Garibaldi thanked the Mayor for the help the British people had given to him in seeking to

liberate Italy. During his last remaining days in London he visited the tomb of Ugo

Foscolo at Chiswick, poet and early patriot of Italian independence, the House of Lords and had a discreet meeting with the Prince of Wales, Edward VII then aged 22,

much against his mother's wishes. He left England for Caprera on the 28th April

1864.

2. PURPOSE OF THE CELEBRATIONS

The purpose of the proposed programme is primarily to mark the 1501h anniversary of

Garibaldi's visit to London but also to celebrate the close links between the British people and the creation of modern Italy. The support that Britain gave in the struggle for self-determination of European nations, hasten the establishment of a modem Italian state. The proposed celebrations are therefore intended to mark the British legacy in the struggle for Italian independence and the close historic link between the two nations.

3. PROGRAMME

A series ofevents are proposed:

3.1 A Gala Dinner at a suitable location (Guildhall/Lancaster House) bringing together the representatives of the British and Italian State and relevant parliamentary and

other Anglo/Italian bilateral organisations.

3.2 Public lectures which draw on the excellent academic resources we have available and which deal with the role of Garibaldi, Italian independence and his relationship with the United Kingdom.

3.3 A visit to Lancaster House to lay flowers at the plaque of Giuseppe Garibaldi erected to commemorate his visit to the Duke of Sutherland in 1864 and erected in 1882 from the from contributions of the Italian London community ..

3.4 A proposed musical event based on a recently composed operetta on the life of

Giuseppe Garibaldi.

3.5 An exhibition of Garibaldi artefacts held in London which draws on the archives of various organisations.

3.6 A London Italian community dinner to be organised which celebrates the relationship between Garibaldi and the London Italian community.

3.7 A reception to be organised possibly at the Italian Cultural institute .

4. PARTICIPATING GROUPS

Proposed participating groups and entities

4.1 British Italian Society

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4.2 Mazzini Garibaldi Club Limited

4.3 Italian Embassy

4.4 Corporation of the City of London

4.5 Italian Cultural Institute

4.6 Fondazione Giuseppe Garibaldi Rome

4.7 University of London

4.8 London Borough of Cam den

5. CORE ORGANISING COMMITTEE

5.1 It is proposed to establish a core organising committee drawn from the participating

groups and entities to organise an agreed programme of events for the celebrations. It

is proposed that COC holds its first meeting in the autumn of 2013 and agree a

timetable and programme.

Domenic Pini

Chair

Mazzini Garibaldi Club Limited

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