The "Maturità" - Italy’s high school graduation exam - has officially begun. This final act of secondary education involves 527,747 candidates this year, marking a slight 0.6% increase compared to last year. The opening of the digital exam envelopes put an end to the eve's speculation, revealing official topics chosen by the Ministry of Education and Merit that balanced literature, history, science, and current affairs.
For the poetry analysis (Type A), the Ministry selected the melancholy and evocative verses of “Passerò per piazza di Spagna” by Cesare Pavese. On the historical-political front (B1) students were given the opportunity to reflect on the roots of the Italian Republic through the historic inauguration speech delivered by Giuseppe Saragat on June 26, 1946, a clear invitation to ponder the country’s institutional and civil values.
Other argumentative tracks blended science communication and sociology. The B2 prompt, based on a piece by journalist Piero Bianucci (“Te lo dico con parole tue”), explored the link between language, logic, and scientific creativity. Meanwhile, the B3 track shifted the focus to contemporary geopolitics with an essay by sociologist Frank Furedi (“Why Borders Matter”), sparking a debate on the anthropological and cultural meaning of frontiers.
Finally, the current affairs essays delved into existential themes. On one hand, the C1 prompt introduced the profound concept of "enchantment" and wonder in daily life, drawing from a Wenke Husmann article published in Internazionale. On the other hand, the C2 track offered a powerful reflection on the culture of hard work and daily dedication over the modern obsession with instant gratification, inspired by Mario Calabresi’s essay “Alzarsi all'alba”.