The assembly of members of the Comitato 10 Febbraio, meeting on the afternoon of Thursday 29 December 2022, unanimously elected Silvano Olmi as the new national president. He succeeds Emanuele Merlino, who must leave the position due to personal commitments.

The Comitato 10 Febbraio is an association that keeps alive, in Italy and in the world, the memory and history of the Eastern Border of Italy and the lands of the Eastern Adriatic. Furthermore, it promotes the celebration of the “Day of Remembrance” in memory of the victims of the foibe, of the Julian-Dalmatian exodus, of the events of the eastern border and for the granting of recognition to the relatives of the foibe victims, as provided for by Law number 92 of 30 March 2004.

“I am reluctantly leaving the presidency of the February 10 Committee – declared Emanuele Merlino – but I am happy to hand it over to Silvano Olmi who has earned it on the field, magnificently organizing Una Rosa per Norma, the October event in memory of Norma Cossetto, Martyr of the foibe and Gold Medal for Civil Merit which in 2022 saw the participation of 240 cities in Italy and abroad.”

“We must prepare ourselves to face a new year of great commitments – began Silvano Olmi in his inaugural speech – in fact, in addition to the dutiful celebration of the Day of Remembrance, 2023 will mark the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the sinkholes by the Slavic communist partisans and their acolytes and the sacrifice of Norma Cossetto, thrown alive into a sinkhole on the night between 4 and 5 October 1943.

I thank the members who unanimously gave me their trust – concluded the newly elected national president – ​​I owe a special greeting to those who preceded me in this important role: Emanuele Merlino, Edoardo Fonda and Michele Pigliucci. I also count on their support and backing.”

Silvano Olmi was born in Orbetello (GR) in 1963, but lives in Tarquinia (VT). Lieutenant of the Army in the reserve, he is a writer, journalist and historical researcher. Together with Maurizio Federici he created and since 2019 has coordinated the national event "Una Rosa per Norma Cossetto".

Source: February 10th Committee – 30/12/2022