Garibaldini in uniforme dall'Uruguay alle Argonne (1843-1915)

Certainly! Here's the translation of the Italian text into English:

The historical memory of the Risorgimento is indissolubly linked to the iconography of the red shirt, first worn by Giuseppe Garibaldi in April 1843 in Montevideo for the legion of over 500 Italians engaged in defending the Uruguayan republic against attacks from the Argentine dictator Juan Manuel de Rosas.

Since then, the red color never left the volunteer militias following the Hero of the Two Worlds, giving the garment, emblematic of Garibaldinismo, the fame of being the most celebrated uniform of the entire nineteenth century and the symbolic value of a myth that has spanned several generations. Even today, it is perceived as foundational to our civil life, although it is established that the red shirt was not the only Garibaldian uniform, despite the testimonies of official iconography.

The exhibition "Garibaldians in Uniform from Uruguay to the Argonne (1843-1915)," promoted by Bologna's Civic Museum of the Risorgimento from November 30, 2024, to February 9, 2025, offers a visual and historical journey through the uniforms and events of the Garibaldini, from the war in Uruguay to participation in World War I, highlighting the evolution of Garibaldinismo across different historical phases.

The inauguration, with free entry, takes place on Friday, November 29, 2024, at 6:00 PM, featuring reenactors from 8cento APS, who, dressed in historical attire, will animate the Event Hall with theatrical scenes inspired by the exhibited figurines. The event is part of the BO'seum2024 project promoted by 8cento APS within the framework of the "Public Notice for Assigning Contributions and Cultural Activities for 2024," in collaboration with the Bologna Civic Museums Sector and with the contribution of the Municipality of Bologna.

The exhibition offers a series of 47 colored graphic reconstructions created by curator Pietro Compagni—one of the most skilled contemporary historical-military illustrators, with numerous publications, exhibitions, and conferences to his credit—illustrating, based on iconography and contemporary descriptions, the uniforms worn by volunteers who participated over the decades in military campaigns promoted by Giuseppe Garibaldi (and his heirs). These campaigns started in Latin America (1843), passed through the Wars of Independence (1848-1866), the defense of the Roman Republic (1849), the expedition ending at Aspromonte (1862), the campaign of the Roman Agro (1867), the Franco-Prussian conflict (1870-1871), the struggle for Greece's freedom (1897), up to the expedition in the Argonne during World War I.

Many of the bodies, bands, legions, columns, brigades, companies, and battalions that formed the Garibaldini ranks wore their own uniforms, provided by their organizers or by the populations where these units were formed. Additionally, Garibaldini often independently provided their clothing, so personal needs, financial availability, contingent situations, and personal taste and "imagination" were decisive factors for each volunteer.

In any case, the men who fought with Garibaldi from 1843 to 1915 or in the name of Garibaldini ideals, in most cases, did not have a uniform in the strict sense: a uniform is understood as a codified garment conceived according to regulated canons described in specific printed regulations. Therefore, it is necessary to resort to other sources: original artifacts, pictorial and photographic iconography, memories of those who wore those uniforms, but also documents, reports, expense notes, and the "literature" of sector scholars.

The proposed reconstructions are the result of many years of patient research conducted by Pietro Compagni, utilizing among his sources rare and highly valuable historical relics, including original uniforms, period documents, photographs, and paintings from the collections of Bologna's Civic Museum of the Risorgimento, some of which are on display at this event to narrate the epic of the Garibaldini, men who fought for Italy's freedom and unity.

Among these stands a completely unique relic: a Garibaldian uniform from the "Malenchini Regiment," a group of volunteers who joined Garibaldi's Thousand in Sicily shortly after the landing (1860), whose uniforms were coffee-colored, not red. For various reasons, all of that regiment's uniforms have been lost, and the one preserved in Bologna is the only remaining specimen, now in poor condition.

The jacket, made of low-quality fabric, belonged to Primo Baroni, who was wounded in the battle of Milazzo (the hole caused by the bullet that struck him is still visible on the jacket). Historian Andrea Viotti wrote an essay on the Malenchini Regiment in 1979, hypothesizing a graphical reconstruction of the uniform solely based on written memories, not knowing about this precious relic at that time. Thanks to Viotti's studies and the original relic, Pietro Compagni was able to create a reliable illustration.

In conjunction with the exhibition "Garibaldians in Uniform from Uruguay to the Argonne (1843-1915)," Bologna's Civic Museum of the Risorgimento launches the Art Bonus campaign for the urgent conservation restoration of the jacket. The financial need to be reached by March 31, 2025, is 5,000 euros. For information, you can visit the website artbonus.gov.it/190-uniforme-garibaldina-del-%E2%80%9Creggimento-malenchini%E2%80%9D.html.
During the exhibition period, three guided tours are offered: Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 11:00 AM, guided by Pietro Compagni; Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM, guided by Pietro Compagni; Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM, guided by Mirtide Gavelli. Participation requires the museum admission ticket, and no reservation is needed.

TECHNICAL SHEET

Exhibition
Garibaldians in Uniform from Uruguay to the Argonne (1843-1915)

Curated by
Pietro Compagni
Promoted by
Bologna Civic Museums Sector | Civic Museum of the Risorgimento
Opening period
November 30, 2024 - February 9, 2025
Inauguration
Friday, November 29, 2024, at 6:00 PM
Opening hours
Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday, Sunday, holidays 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Closed Monday and Wednesday
Admission
Full € 5 | reduced € 3 | special reduced visitors > 19 years and ≤ 25 € 2 | free for Culture Card holders
Information
Civic Museum of the Risorgimento
Piazza Giosue Carducci 5 | 40125 Bologna
Tel. +39 051 2196520
www.museibologna.it/risorgimento
museorisorgimento@comune.bologna.it
Facebook: Civic Museum of the Risorgimento - Certosa of Bologna
YouTube: History and Memory of Bologna
Sector Civic Museums Bologna
www.museibologna.it
Facebook: Civic Museums Bologna
Instagram: @bolognamusei
Web: www.museibologna.it/risorgi...