This exhibition is the testimony of a people who had to abandon their land, their habits and traditions as well as the testimony of their past so that all this is not lost and remains a dear memory forever.

In what is probably one of the most suggestive places in Istria, Castello Soardo-Bembo, also the seat of the Italian Community of Valle, the photographic exhibition “Gente di Valle d'Istria” is underway, whose author, with about 120 photos, wanted to pay homage to her hometown.

The exhibition, set up for the first time in 2013, and which collects 150 years of history of Valle, reopens this year as a reminder of a time that was, as a testimony of a people who had to abandon their land, their habits and traditions as well as a testimony of their past so that all this is not lost and remains a dear memory forever, this is the message of the author.

– The exhibition is a collection of old photos made by Gigliola Cnapich, daughter of exiles, who has been collecting photos for many years. We have re-proposed the exhibition after almost ten years because we thought it was appropriate to show our history, the people who once lived in Valle, the way of life of the past, the culture and our traditions. This, especially for the people who live in Italy who through these images have the opportunity to see their ancestors – explains Dea Lordanić, vice president of the Community of Italians of Valle.

Gigliola Cnapich, born in the refugee camp of Altamura in 1952 to a mother from Valle d'Aosta and a father from Polesano, who had met a year earlier on the train that was taking them away from Istria, wanted to donate to her people this work that kept her busy for almost two years. From 2010 to 2012 the author collected about 4500 photos of her people and her place of origin, while today the collection boasts 18000 photographs.

– The photographic collection is the fruit of love for our land and our people and is a piece of that historical heritage to be passed down to our children and grandchildren and to all those who are eager to know part of what has not yet been disclosed – says Cnapich.

– The collection represents 150 years of history of Valle and its people – continues Cnapich – and the photos were sent by many families from Italy but also from America, Argentina, Australia, Canada. We also have the Valle d'Istria website where for about ten years there has been a very lively contact of all these Vallesi scattered around the world –

The photos, whose value, especially sentimental, is inestimable, represent Valle and its inhabitants in different situations, such as work in the fields, workers at work, students with their teacher, moments of everyday life but also moments with the family.

This is a demonstration of the love of exiles who leave their homeland but feel a strong bond with it.

The exhibition will remain open until August 28th and can be visited every day, except Mondays, from 9am to 12pm and from 18pm to 21pm.

Donatella Leonardelli
Source: Istria24 – 26/07/2022