A Long Ignored and Denied Page of History: Fassino's Lesson to the Left on the Foibe
In a commemorative address on the foibe massacres, Italian politician Piero Fassino calls out the left for its historical denialism regarding the events affecting Italians in the Eastern territories after WWII.
On the Day of Remembrance for the foibe massacres, Democratic Party deputy Piero Fassino articulated a perspective that contrasts sharply with certain left factions in Italy. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging a dark chapter in history that has often been ignored or denied. Fassino has previously condemned any form of denialism, advocating for recognition and understanding of the tragedies faced by Italians, particularly in the wake of World War II. He underscored that the past 22 years have gradually heightened public awareness about these events, which involve the brutal killings and expulsion of Italians from eastern territories.
Fassino criticized sections of the left, highlighting a "double removal" regarding the discussions of foibe and the subsequent expulsion of Italians. He implied that ideological reasons or realpolitik have led some leftists to trivialize these historical events by attributing them solely to the aftermath of a lost war. His remarks aim to confront those who have minimized the significance of these tragedies, revealing a broader tension within Italian politics over the interpretation of historical events related to national identity and memory.
Additionally, Fassino did not shy away from addressing members of the right, accusing them of instrumentally using the tragedies related to the foibe and the exodus of Italians to further their political agendas. This highlights the complexity of how historical narratives are leveraged in contemporary political discourse, as both sides grapple with the legacy of the past and its implications for modern Italy.