The exhibition traces the 100-year history of the Italian Air Force, highlighting, through a graphic journey, the events that have characterised the Blue Force from its origins while projecting the visitor towards the future.
It was inaugurated yesterday, Thursday 23 March, at the Shrine of the Flags at the Altare della Patria, within the Vittoriano complex, the One hundred years of the Italian Air Force. The history, capabilities and traditions of the Italian Air Force in its first 100 years“. The inauguration took place in the presence of the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Luca Goretti,and of numerous military and civil authorities.
The Director of the Vittoriano and Palazzo Venezia complex, Edith Gabrielli, in his introductory speech at the event, emphasised how the Vittoriano represents the key site of our nation's history and identity, being at the same time a great work of art and one of Italy's most visited places.
The exhibition at the Vittoriano is the first leg of a iconographic pathway travelling, which will visit several prestigious venues throughout 2023 throughout the peninsula – including Florence, Bari, Cagliari, Palermo, Caserta, Parma, Treviso, Milan, Ferrara, Viterbo and Lecce – with the aim of illustrating the evolution of the Armed Forces over their first century, from their foundation to the present day, bringing them ever closer to the local communities and the public.
The exhibition, through thematic panels and graphic plates, intends to retrace these first 100 years of history by highlighting the most significant events, starting from the origins and the visions of the early air power theorists, and projecting the visitor towards the future. A linear exhibition structure, capable of unfolding the narrative of historical events with the immediacy of graphic representation and the consequent rapid reading of aeronautical technological transformation, scientific evolution and the progressive expansion of operational capabilities. Gen. Goretti in his speech expressed satisfaction and pride for this exhibition, underlining that it “"It represents the first 100 years of a modern, state-of-the-art armed force. A hundred years rich in historical events, recounted in a single place – the Vittoriano – which symbolises the strength of this country and stands as the very heart of our collective memory."”. He then concluded: “With this exhibition we will tell a story made of men and women who, in these first 100 years, have never changed their passion, always honouring the Flag, the Italian Air Force and the Nation”.
In his speech, the Chief of Defence Staff wished to highlight how “The Centenary is a solemn anniversary that celebrates the passion, generosity and professionalism of this exemplary Institution, which represents a strategic resource for the country and to which the country is intimately grateful and deeply attached“, adding that “Gathering today in these rooms so rich in history confirms the effectiveness of the synergy between institutions. The importance of that authentic system approach is also a necessary condition for creating and sharing an exhibition of high collective value like this one“.
The exhibition is completed by a’uniform and equipment display which aims to highlight how styles, fabrics, colours and finishes have evolved over time to enable staff in every role and rank to carry out their operational duties to the best of their ability, from technical and logistical tasks to those of a more purely ceremonial nature.
The exhibition at the Vittoriano can be visited free of charge from 24 March until 23 April, according to the following opening hours:
Leonardo S.p.A., Avio Aero S.r.l., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Boeing Italia S.r.l.
