The past that mixes with the present. The roots that sink into the heart of history, to represent the womb of the Friulian land. This year too we are about to celebrate the Feast of the Homeland from Friûl – which on April 3rd will mark its forty-seventh edition – Almost a millennium has passed – to be precise 947 long years – since that distant 1077. In the city of Pavia the patriarch Sigeardo received the feudal investiture of Duke of the Friuli, obtaining the ecclesiastical Principality of Aquileia with the diet of 11 June and thus starting the Friulian patriarchal state.
It was sanctioned by the Imperial Bull, but the financial contribution was granted by regional law 6 of 27 March 2015, through which the origins of the Friulian people are valorised, strengthening their awareness and identity. «The Patrie dal Friûl was born in 1077 in Pavia thanks to Henry IV, who after the humiliation of Canossa found himself facing the revolt of the nobles – says the councilor of the neighborhoods Maurizio Negro, representing Arlef and Aclif – As a reward for loyalty Sigeardo obtained the feudal investiture, for a patriarchate that extends from Timavo to Livenza, including the villa of Lucinico. Gorizia had already been mentioned in 1001, with Otto III, when Salcano, the first historical nucleus, and the village of Gorizia were mentioned”.
A territory that represents “a passage between East and West”, starting from the Celts who preceded the Romans. Countless collateral activities are planned throughout the Friuli area, which also includes seven municipalities in the neighboring Veneto. On the occasion of the party on 3 April (in the Dora Bassi room at 6pm) the book “The house of lost justice” will be presented in Gorizia by Donata Milazzi, in the Friulian language version sponsored by Arlef. «It is a trauma that has affected our region especially in the Monfalcone area – regrets Negro – Even if mesothelioma then affected three communities: Friulian, Bisiaca and Slovenian».
A text born from the need to tell the story of Filomena – who passed away two years after being diagnosed with mesothelioma – which pushed the author to delve deeper also stories from the Nova Gorica side related to the former Anhovo cement factory. «For almost all those interviewed I had to hand the book over to their heirs – reveals Milazzi – it was the most difficult book I could have written». And precisely to celebrate the 19th day in memory of asbestos victims, the “28 April Cup” football tournament will be held in Gabria on 27 April, an amateur match in which the authorities will also participate.
In total there are 145 Friulian-speaking municipalities, supported by Arlef for a total contribution of 47,500 euros. For the occasion, municipalities and citizens are invited to display the flag with the patriarchal eagle, «to pay homage to the Friulian identity which has been alive in our territories ever since – underlines the president of Aclif Daniele Sergon – But be careful, let’s never give it away for granted: languages, to continue to live, must be cultivated”, he reiterates again, hoping for “identity unity throughout Friuli without useless divisions”. That territory which from the sea to the mountains represents a “splendid mosaic, wonderful only if made up of all its pieces”.
The meetings will continue retrospectively, spreading over the rest of the year. After the previous performance staged in Medea on 23 March – “Sesulis, marcjei and gabanis – vuere clipe in Friûl” created by the Easy amateur drama group theater cultural association of Manzano – on 3 April Gorizia will therefore take to the field with a text that tells of invisible scars, those left by asbestos fibers in asbestosis sufferers and in entire families. “La Cjase de justizie perdude – Storie di muarts pal amiant” will then be presented on April 13th in Monfalcone. Where on April 17th the comic cabaret show “Catine e la marilenghe” starring Caterina Tomasulo will be staged.
«This festival is celebrated in many ways – explains Tomasulo – telling how the homeland, the first parliament, was born. My show focuses on my arrival in Friuli from Basilicata, when I found myself in a region very far from my own. Different, albeit with similarities. I tell how I was welcomed, integrated, and especially the Friulian language, which I learned working at the bar in its most free-range, spontaneous and beautiful version. I’m talking about linguistic traps, about similarities with other languages, with French or English. Because language tells the history of the earth, and its geography.”
«In Friuli we have different languages for this reason: there is German, Slovenian, and then Friulian which is similar to all of them. The show highlights the importance of preserving our languages and dialects, which we risk losing in the global and technological village. That’s why all we can do is laugh!” Entertainment before disembarking in Monfalcone it will be staged on April 3rd in Martignacco, where it was already sold out in just one day. «When you talk about language you touch a person’s soul – continues Tomasulo – Because it represents a root, an identity».
Culture and identity that must be preserved and carried forward from childhood. For this reason the Municipality of Romans d’Isonzo has decided to propose “When stories teach: a Fieste da Patrie with theater for children” and “Il Tambûr di Vigjut”, shows that will be staged on April 19th, also aimed at nursery and primary schools. «If you don’t know your roots, it is not possible to remain still – concludes Councilor Negro – In the global comparison with other peoples it is necessary to remain together. Only a tree with deep roots can overcome the elements, avoiding being uprooted.”
Photo Sab.pittu/Wikicommons
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