A commemorative event intended to honor the victims of the foibe and the Italian exodus from Istria and Dalmatia turned sour at the 'Galileo Galilei' high school in Catania. Instead of a moment of reflection, the occasion devolved into an ideological battleground, with protests, sabotage, and the distribution of contentious flyers. This incident reflects ongoing divisions in Italian society regarding historical memory and the interpretation of nationalist sentiments.

The event was organized by the student council and featured prominent figures like Senator Roberto Menia of the Brothers of Italy party, who initiated the law establishing the Day of Remembrance, and Viviana Dalmas, an Italian from Split who shared her personal testimony of the historical upheaval. Nevertheless, the gathering faced significant disruptions, with demonstrators raising ideological barricades against what they perceived as a glorification of nationalism and historical revisionism, inhibiting a collective memory initiative.

Senator Salvo Pogliese voiced his outrage over the events, condemning the protests as not only disrespectful to the memories of millions of Italians affected by these tragic historical events but also as an affront to the community of Catania and the nation at large. The episode underscores the fragility of national memory in contemporary Italy and highlights the challenges of ensuring that commemorative practices can serve as unifying experiences rather than divisive ones.