In the Emilia-Romagna, Labor Day - Festa dei Lavoratori or Il primo maggio is traditionally celebrated with cappelletti, a type of stuffed pasta. This custom holds historical significance. During a twenty-year period of political repression, the workers' holiday - Festa dei Lavoratori was banned, and there was a concerted effort to suppress pasta in all its forms. Nevertheless, those brave enough to stand up for their rights continued to gather for celebrations known as 'cappellettate'. In the countryside of the lower Reggio Emilia area, spanning neighbouring provinces and into Romagna, activities in country houses were traditionally halted on May 1st to focus solely on celebrating workers' rights. As is customary, the celebration often includes a communal meal with Cappelletti. These pasta parcels are stuffed with meat and Parmigiano Reggiano but often feature slight variations unique to each family. They were typically cooked in broth and served at large tables in farmyards.
During the Ventennio, the fascist regime interrupted the tradition of Labour Day, effectively canceling it to suppress communist and socialist movements. In 1943, the "anti-fascist pasta" episode reflected a political aversion to May or Labor Day and an autarkic ideology that limited pasta consumption to prioritize wheat production, promoting alternatives like rice and polenta. Tommaso Maria Marinetti's Manifesto of Futurist Cuisine even declared a “War on pasta!” for its perceived negative impact on soldiers' morale.
Gastronomic passion and a libertarian spirit are hard to extinguish in Italy. So, when celebrations were not permitted, Emilian workers began to pin cappelletti to their lapels instead of the banned red carnation. This tradition continues in Reggio Emilia, Gattatico, Correggio, and other nearby towns, where large gatherings are held in the square to honour those who, even in the darkest of times, were never afraid to celebrate Labour Day.
And today, the May Day or Labor Day is celebrated in Italy as it is a public holiday; and many Italians take as an opportunity to have a Spring holiday week-end.
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