On Friday 18 July, the press conference presenting the MEDIF project – Exhibition of Dalmatian, Istrian and Fiume Exiles – was held in the Foreign Press Room of Palazzo Grazioli in Rome. The project will be inaugurated in October 2025 at the Vittoriano (Sala Del Grottone).

MEDIF is the vivid and visual story of over 350.000 people from Rijeka, Istria, and Dalmatia who were forced to leave their homes and lands after the war to preserve their identity.

Eighty years later, Il Vittoriano—a monument symbolizing national unity and the home of Italy's shared history—is for the first time celebrating a chapter of history that has remained on the fringes of collective consciousness, transforming it into a shared memory for present and future generations.

Presentations by:

Renzo Codarin, President of the Federation of Istrian, Fiume, and Dalmatian Exile Associations

Attorney Giuseppe de Vergottini, President Emeritus of FederEsuli

Dr. Edith Gabrielli, General Director of Vi-Ve Vittoriano and Palazzo Venezia

Prof. Gianni Oliva, Historian and journalist

Architect Massimiliano Tita, Project Manager and Curator of the Exiles Exhibition.

With the testimony of Italia Giacca, Member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Venezia Giulia Dalmatia and Istrian exile

The Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli concludes

The press conference can be viewed on the YouTube channel CDM – Adriatic Archipelago:

https://youtube.com/live/w7rZ22AUglM