La festa di San Napoleone. Itinerari di sacralizzazione della figura di Bonaparte dalla Repubblica al Regno d'Italia, 1802-1814

Public festivals, like the press and arts, had an important role in representing Bonaparte's rise and heroization. The first part of my article aims to analyse the process through which the celebration of Napoleon as grand-homme became the cornerstone of civic festivals during the transition between the Italian Republic and the Kingdom of Italy, even if republican values did not disappear from the public scene. This process of heroization was the precondition for the introduction of the cult of St. Napoleon (1806) during the public ceremonies which took place every year for the emperor's birthday. The main purpose was to develop devotion for the person of Napoleon and his authority by using the forms of Catholic liturgical tradition, in order to legitimate his imperial dignity. As shown in the second part of the article, the transformation of political symbolism in Italy followed the French model, but more slowly and cagily, if not with a real reluctance.