Italy celebrates 74 years of Republic, with a female face that has become a symbol of yesterday and today’s reborn.

Women are capable of sincere and shining smiles.
A smile that is always present, even if sometimes is hidden by the hard times of life. Pesavento’s women has never stop smiling: not inside, not even during the pandemic period. Brave, resourceful, they don’t give up, they smile. For the “Festa della Repubblica”’s celebrations, Pesavento choose to celebrate the Anna Iberti’s smile. In the 1946 referendum, Italian Republic was born and changed Italy’s destiny. During the seventieth anniversary celebrations of the historical event, the Anna Iberti’s smiling face identity was discovered. A portrait that became an historical image.

On the 2nd of June 1946, the Milanese photojournalist Federico Patellani captured her 24 years old beautiful smiling face emerging from the cover of the daily newspaper entitled to the Republic victory over Monarchy.

That day, a long series of photos was shooted with the historic Patellani’s Leica camera: the Anna’s one was the 42nd picture of those and it became a photojournalism manifesto celebrating the Milan reborn and reconstruction after Second World War tragedy. That was a period in which industries and cultural activities flourished, and with a strong desire to look at that future of which Italians would put in charge of their destiny.

Anna passed away in 1997 and she worked as passionate teacher during the post-war period: her engaging and kind smile is still capable of conquering the people’s attention and admiration. Yesterday as today, it is a symbol of strength and growth.

In this period of development of the country and its social, cultural and economic restart, we need faces and smiles like Anna’s was. We need women full of energy and enthusiasm, capable of inspiring those who meet them. A personification of greatness and a sign for a country like Italy that need to be great again, after weeks of suspension and fear.

Anna’s smile is the smile of women who restart today, from work to family with hope and passion, strength and determination. And Pesavento’s women make great our country.
So, Happy “Festa della Repubblica” and smile to the future!