LICEO MARINELLI

   FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA

Located in the northeastern corner of Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia has long been a crossroads of cultures and civilizations, serving as a point of encounter and conflict between different peoples throughout history. Its position on the border with Austria and Slovenia, and its proximity to the Balkans, have made it a contested territory for centuries.

From the Roman Empire to the Habsburg monarchy, from World War I to the Cold War, the region has been a site of battles, invasions, and territorial disputes. The ethnic and linguistic diversity of the population, with Italian, Slovenian, and German-speaking communities, has also contributed to its complex identity.

Therefore we have chosen to focus our memories on the subject of “National Identity” which we have divided it into two main sections: one regarding the origins of our region and one about the wars it was involved in. 

We have chosen the places and people in this site to represent our country and more specifically our region because we think that they contribute to understand the process towards becoming Italian that shaped our feeling of a national identity. To be more specific, here are the reasons of all our choices:

• Tempio Ossario and Redipuglia represents the people who died fighting for the homeland;

• Partisans and Carnic Porters were civilians who helped, even if they weren't forced to do it, our country during the wars (the first fighting Fascism, the other bringing supplies and aid to the soldiers during WWII). 

• Frecce Tricolori always participate in the most important moments and holidays for our country and they have their base in Rivolto in our region;

• Monuments such as the Lion of San Marco -representing the Serenissima-, the Statue of Peace -which recalls the Treaty of Campoformio- along with the Statue of Garibaldi, show some of the steps that helped our region become what it is today;

• Risiera di San Sabba is important for us to remember what Italy did during WWII and the atrocities that Fascism carried out. This will help us to try and become a better country. 

UDINE

Udine has a very rich past, with its origins going back to previous  centuries.

The city was heavily influenced by the presence  of the Republic of Venice. This is shown by the architectural style of many monuments of the city and by the statues of the lions.  Another important historical moment was the end of the XVIII century, when our area was under the control and influence of the major European powers: France and Austria.  The unification of Italy thanks to Garibaldi surely left its mark on the city, and its  statue witnesses this.

Thus, such memories left their mark on the culture of our city and of our area, shaping our identity. 

Udine, sadly, has a great past in terms of wars. Just think of the fact that it was called "the capital of wars" because from 1915 to 1917 General Cadorna established the headquarters of the supreme command  in Udine and took residence there. The king also settled there, in a country villa. The whole city became the nerve centre of every war operation in the area.

We chose to talk about World War I and World War II because we believe that they touched our region a great deal and helped us become what we are for better or worse.