The National Association of Venezia Giulia and Dalmatia, the oldest and most widespread association of Istrian, Fiume and Dalmatian exiles, celebrated its XXII National Congress in Gorizia, renewing its National Council, which confirmed Renzo Codarin as President.

These were intense days of internal debate, planning of future activities and taking stock of what has been done since the last congress (Rome 2016), with particular reference to the initiatives carried out despite the pandemic which on the one hand prevented the Congress from being held in person, and on the other allowed the national management and several provincial committees to strengthen their activities by using teleconferencing platforms or creating YouTube channels.

The recognition given to the Congress by the Presidency of the Republic was very prestigious, with a Medal awarded to the event, demonstrating the consolidated relationship of dialogue between the ANVGD and the highest Italian institutions. Reporting on the activities carried out during his mandate, the outgoing National President Renzo Codarin noted with pleasure that over 40 provincial Committees are currently active, some of which have returned to life (for example Florence, Brescia and Sassari) thanks to the commitment of a new generation of descendants of exiles and supporters of the Julian-Dalmatian cause. Professor Donatella Schürzel presented to the congress participants the institutional relationships that have intensified with the Quirinale and other bodies and organizations, confirming the leading role played by the ANVGD. Alessandro Cuk presented the audiovisual projects created (Red land – Red Istria, dedicated to the martyr of the foibe Norma Cossetto, and Defender of the City, centered on the figure of Monsignor Antonio Santin, Bishop of Trieste in the most dramatic years of the twentieth century in Julian) and those that are about to be put into circulation (The forest of San Marco, dedicated to the relationship of the Republic of Venice with the forests of the Istrian hinterland, and Without malice, a documentary film about the Istrian exiled actress Laura Antonelli). Professor Maria Elena Depetroni has examined in depth the flattering results of the collaboration between the ANVGD, as the leader of all the associations of the Adriatic diaspora, and the Ministry of Education, with particular reference to the school competitions, the summer school and the regional and national training seminars that are carried out on a continuous basis.

The greetings brought by the President of the Italian Union Maurizio Tremul, by Senator Francesca Tubetti, by the President of the National League Paolo Sardos Albertini and by the Mayor of Gorizia Rodolfo Ziberna (former National President of ANVGD) were welcomed and appreciated.

The congressional debate served above all to publicise initiatives of particular value carried out in the area: the project was very important Dante Adriaticus created by the Provincial Committee of Rome on the occasion of the Dante centenary of 2021 (the figure of Dante Alighieri was presented from the perspective of Eastern Adriatic Italianity through international study conferences, theatrical events, a documentary photographic exhibition and a volume of Proceedings) and awarded the Medal of the Presidency of the Republic.

For the election of the new National Council, only the Continuità Adriatica list presented itself, whose 39 representatives from all over Italy represent a mix of more experienced managers and new additions to the associative fabric. The newly elected Councilors therefore unanimously re-elected Cavalier Renzo Codarin as President, born in the Noghere Refugee Camp and an expert point of reference for the entire Julian-Dalmatian association environment.

After the health restrictions of the pandemic that have repeatedly postponed the congress appointment, an intense work to adapt the Statute to the new provisions of the third sector and multiple activities carried out remotely, the ANVGD has proven to be a cohesive, industrious community intent on advocating respect for the rights and history of the Italians of the Eastern Adriatic with the same determination with which the association was born in 1947.

Lorenzo Salimbeni
ANVGD Communications Manager