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Language and Text
2025. Vol. 12, no. 3, 37–47
doi:10.17759/langt.2025120304
ISSN: 2312-2757 (online)

Risorgimento journalism: reflecting changes in Italian society

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. The article explores the role of the Italian press during the Risorgimento period and emphasizes its influence on social, political and cultural changes in the country. Objective. To investigate how Risorgimento journalism reflects changes in Italian society and contributes to the formation of a national identity. Hypothesis. The Italian press not only reported on the Risorgimento events, but also played an active role in shaping ideological and political currents, contributing to the society’s consolidation around the idea of national unity. Methods and materials. The research is based on an analysis of the historical background and key events that took place during the Risorgimento. It studies the evolution of democratic and moderate movements, as well as their influence on the press at the time. The materials used include data from periodicals such as Gazzetta Italiana, Rivista Europea, Politecnico, as well as quotes and opinions from prominent political figures like Giuseppe Mazzini, Camillo Cavour, Massimo D'Azeglio etc. Descriptive and comparative analysis is used to identify the characteristics of different areas of journalism and their significance in public life during this period. Results. The study revealed that Risorgimento journalism was a multifaceted phenomenon reflecting the opposition of ideological and political trends. The democratic movement, led by Mazzini, actively used the press to promote revolutionary ideas. The moderate movement represented by Cavour advocated reforms and a constitutional monarchy, also actively using the printed word. The role of literature and art, closely related to journalism, in the formation of national identity is shown. International relations and the influence of Risorgimento on European journalism are revealed. Conclusions. Risorgimento journalism has become an integral part of the Italian unification process, being a mirror of social change and a powerful tool for shaping national identity.

General Information

Keywords: Risorgimento, journalism, Giuseppe Mazzini, Camillo Cavour, press freedom, liberalism, national unification, 19th century, romanticism, Italian literature

Journal rubric: World Literature. Textology

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/langt.2025120304

Funding. The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project number 24-28-00479, https://rscf.ru/en/project/24-28-00479/.

Received 25.07.2025

Revised 28.08.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Kanel, I.V. (2025). Risorgimento journalism: reflecting changes in Italian society. Language and Text, 12(3), 37–47. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/langt.2025120304

© Kanel I.V., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Irina V. Kanel, PhD student, Department of Linguodidactics and Intercultural Communication, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1851-3045, e-mail: kaneliv@mgppu.ru

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