National Dante Day 2023: Date, History, Facts Regarding Dante’s Divine Comedy

On March 25, National Dante Day, or Dantedi as the Italians name it, commemorates the life and works of the extraordinary Italian author Dante Alighieri. Alighieri is best known for his masterwork, “The Divine Comedy,” which recounts his journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven.

Alighieri is a famous symbol of Italian genius. His work contributed to the development and promotion of the Italian language. On National Dante Day, hundreds of readings and exhibitions are conducted throughout Italy to honour the author of arguably the greatest Italian-language literary work.

If you are a fan of excellent literature, religion, or Italy, you must join the Italians in celebrating the man they call “il Sommo Poeta,” which translates to “the Supreme Poet.”

The background of National Dante Day

In 2020, the Italian government established National Dante Day, or Dantedi, in honour of the gifted poet Dante Alighieri.

Alighieri penned what is regarded as one of the most significant poems of the Middle Ages and the finest literary work ever composed in Italian. Along with Petrarch and Boccaccio, he is one of the “three crowns” or “tre corone” of Italian literature.

Alighieri’s contribution to the Italian heritage was not limited to poetry. His contributions were instrumental in establishing the modern Italian language standard. He is frequently referred to as the father of Italian. At a time when most poetry was only written in Latin, which was only accessible to educated readers, he wrote in the Italian vernacular. His work established a standard for subsequent Italian writers.

Alighieri was sentenced to two years of exile and a hefty fine in March 1302 for his association with the White Guelph at a time when the Black Guelphs controlled the government. Additionally, he was accused of corruption and financial misconduct. Alighieri did not pay the fine because he did not believe he was culpable, and the Black Guelphs seized his assets in Florence. This meant he was sentenced to eternal exile; if he returned to Florence without paying the fine, he would be burned at the stake.

During this period of exile, Alighieri composed the Divine Comedy and the majority of his other works. He spent his final days in Ravenna, where the city’s prince had invited him to stay.

The city of Florence came to regret having exiled Alighieri, and numerous requests for the return of his body were denied despite numerous requests.

5 Facts Regarding Dante’s Divine Comedy

Alighieri titled his work “Commedia” (comedy) to indicate that it had a happy ending, whereas Boccaccio referred to it as “Divina.” (divine).

Even though he was married to another woman, Alighieri devotes much of his work to praising and proclaiming his love for Beatrice, whom he encountered at the age of 12 and who died at the age of 25.

Jacopo Alighieri, one of Alighieri’s three children, followed in his father’s footsteps and became a poet.

Alighieri entered the Physicians’ and Apothecaries’ Guild because, at the time, political participation in Italy required membership in a commercial or artisanal guild.

Dante believed the number three to be symbolic, and the number appeared repeatedly throughout the Divine Comedy: three Cantiche, 33 Cantos, nine circles of hell, three wild animals, etc.

NATIONAL DANTE DAY DATES