The President of the Italian Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Deborah Serrachiani, has called for soldiers who fought for Austria-Hungary – who came from what is now Italian territory – to be commemorated.
Ms. Serrachiani, who is president of Italy’s north-eastern region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, has asked the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, for his help in order to make available the register of soldiers who fought from Italy’s “new provinces”.
Having joined the conflict in 1915 on the side of the Entente, Italy acquired territory at the end of the First World War.
Gains were made largely at the expense of Austria-Hungary, when areas such as Trieste and Trentino were annexed. As such, Italy became home to some men who had fought for Austria-Hungary during the conflict.
President Serrachiani has called for these men to be commemorated as well.
President Serracchiani has stated in her letter to President Napolitano (dated the 17th February 2014), the importance of “honouring the memory of all the fallen of the Great War, regardless of the uniform they wore or their nationality at the time”.
She has called for the “recovery” of the register – which is still incomplete – and thanked President Napolitano in advance for his research into it.
President Serracchiani stated in her letter that in “the spirit of peace and brotherhood” and in order “to facilitate reconciliation” on Italy’s eastern border, it is important to commemorate all soldiers who came from Italy’s modern day territory.
Source: Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia
Images courtesy of the Office of President Serracchiani
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News