Rome's Tricolore Projections on Monuments: A Patriotic Spectacle Questioned

During the national alert period of April 2020, the Italian government projected the tricolore (green, white, red) onto several iconic monuments in Rome, including Palazzo della Consulta, Palazzo Chigi, the Colosseum, the Quirinale, and Palazzo Madama. The nightly projections aimed to foster national cohesion and provide symbolic comfort during the pandemic lockdown, when Rome's streets were largely deserted. However, the initiative sparked debate over the aesthetic and respectful use of historic facades as LED screens. Critics questioned the appropriateness of erecting makeshift structures for these displays, arguing that monuments should be respected rather than turned into advertising-like backdrops. The article, published by Massimiliano Tonelli on Artribune, reflects on the balance between patriotic expression and preservation of architectural integrity.