The Days of the “Madri Costituenti”
Exploring the women who shaped Italy’s Constitution and their role in post-war Italian society through history, debate, and reflection
Dive into the stories of the Madri Costituenti (Constituent Mothers), the women who helped shape Italy’s Constitution and transform the role of women in public life. Join interactive workshops, discussions, and guided reflections that bring history to life.
Developed in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute in London and the Camera dei Deputati of the Italian Parliament, this project connects history, culture, and civic education.
A final session open to the public will be hosted at ICI London in Belgravia on the 22nd June 2026 at 6:30PM.
We invite the entire Italian bilingual community in London to register for free and attend the event.
The event will feature the participation of the Camera dei Deputati’s Secretary General Fabrizio Castaldi and Professor Marzia Maccaferri (Queen Mary University of London), and aims to transform the memory of the Mothers of the Constitution into an opportunity for contemporary reflection on the role of women in democratic processes, on the value of civic participation, and on the relevance of European constitutional culture today.
Who is this for?
- Students preparing for Italian A-Level
- Young people aged 16+ interested in history, politics, and civil rights
Free participation – registration required.
Please note that you can attend one or more sessions, but we recommend joining all four to get the full historical and cultural picture.
What to expect
- Four interactive workshops
- Presentations and readings of key texts
- Listening to selected podcasts (i.e. https://giovani.camera.it/podcast/igiornidellecostituenti)
- Guided discussions and thought-provoking activities
Facilitated by a native Italian teacher, to guide discussions and provide insight into language and culture.
Monday 22/06/2026
FINAL PUBLIC SESSION
Hosted at the Italian Cultural Institute in London, where ideas from the workshops are shared and discussed.
The participation is free but registration is mandatory.
> Register here
Programme
The workshops took place on four Sunday mornings in March 2026 at SIAL.school in Holland Park.
Sunday 01/03/2026, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM – Women and Work
Exploring female emancipation, dignity, and professional equality in post-war Italy. Key figures: Maria Federici, Angelica Merlin, Teresa Mattei
Sunday 08/03/2026, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM – Citizenship and Public Life
Women’s participation in politics and institutions, building a truly inclusive democracy. Key figures: Maria Federici, Teresa Mattei
Sunday 15/03/2026, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM – Education and Formation
Education as a foundation for democratic citizenship and active engagement. Key figure: Bianca Bianchi
Sunday 22/03/2026, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM – Family and Society
Equality, freedom, and shared responsibility in modern family life. Key figures: Maria Maddalena Rossi, Filomena Delli Castelli
Why join?
- Experience Italian history in a hands-on, interactive way
- Reflect on the role of women in society and politics
- Gain insights useful for your studies and class discussions
For further information on the final session hosted at ICI London on the 22nd June 2026, please click here