The Society of Fiume Studies learns with great satisfaction that the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella has appointed Professor Melita Sciucca, President of the Italian Community of Fiume, as Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy.

The reasons for the nomination - the initiatives promoted to protect the Italian minority of Fiume and to develop dialogue between the Fiume exiles, the Italian Community of Fiume and the institutions of the current Croatian majority - have inspired and continue to inspire, for over thirty years, the activity of our Society which, in collaboration with the Italian Community of Fiume, as well as with the Association of Fiumani Italiani nel Mondo - Free Municipality of Fiume in exile, works for the cultural return of the Fiume, Istrian and Dalmatian exiles to their lands of origin in the perspective of a united democratic Europe in which the linguistic and cultural differences and specificities that constitute the richness of its history are increasingly valued and adequately protected.

The Society of Fiume Studies congratulates Prof. Sciucca and the Italian community of Fiume, in the intention of continuing on the common path undertaken and in the hope of new important successes.

With particular pride I inform you that the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella has awarded the title of Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy to Professor Melita Sciucca, President of the Italian Community of Fiume and member of the Presidency Office of the Association of Italian Fiumani nel Mondo-Libero Comune di Fiume in exile.

Melita Sciucca was awarded both for her important work in safeguarding the Italian minority in Fiume and for having collaborated in the intellectual and cultural return of Fiume exiles to their city of origin.

With Melita Sciucca we work to safeguard the Fiuman dialect, to enhance the culture of Fiuman and its history, to protect the artistic and cultural works of our city of origin, to defend the historical cemetery of Cosala.

Frank Papetti
President of the Association of Italian Fiume People in the World – Free Municipality of Fiume in Exile