Remembrance Day 2026: Italy’s Foibe Massacre & Political Division

On February 10th, Italy observes the Giorno del Ricordo, or Remembrance Day, dedicated to the victims of the foibe massacres and the subsequent Istrian-Dalmatian exodus. This day commemorates the tragic fate of Italians who were killed or forced to flee their homes in the northeastern Adriatic regions following the Second World War. However, the observance of this day has become increasingly contentious, marked by political opposition and differing interpretations of its historical significance.

The foibe were deep karst sinkholes used as execution sites, and the Remembrance Day was established in 2004 to preserve the memory of events largely overlooked in the broader narrative of 20th-century European history. Between 1943 and the late 1940s, as political boundaries shifted with the collapse of Fascist Italy and the advance of Yugoslav partisan forces, violence targeted civilians, officials, and those perceived as opponents in areas that now comprise parts of Slovenia and Croatia. Approximately 250,000 Italians from Istria, Fiume (now Rijeka), and Dalmatia were ultimately compelled to leave those territories, many resettling elsewhere in Italy.

This year, the commemoration has been met with visible opposition, with some groups actively protesting the remembrance of these events. In Reggio Emilia, for example, demonstrations were held both by those honoring the victims and by counter-protesters who claim the Remembrance Day is based on “falsehoods and inventions.” These opposing groups held separate gatherings, highlighting a deep division in perspectives on this historical period.

The Institute for the History of Resistance and Contemporary Age has scheduled a conference for February 10th, titled “Post-fascism and Remembrance Day.” This framing has drawn criticism, with some arguing that it implies a connection between remembering the victims of the foibe and a resurgence of “fascist culture.” Concerns have been raised that this approach unfairly casts a broad net, labeling those who seek to commemorate the tragedy as inherently aligned with fascism, despite their anti-fascist beliefs.

The municipal government of Reggio Emilia has opted for a different approach, focusing on a conference titled “Stories of families and events of the eastern border,” aiming to create a “Memory Bank” of documents, testimonies, and personal stories from those affected by the exodus. While this initiative is seen as valuable, some critics argue This proves insufficient compared to the broader range of commemorative activities taking place elsewhere in the region, such as a planned solemn session of the Bologna city council.

A particularly provocative act of protest involved the temporary alteration of a street sign, replacing “Via Martiri delle Foibe” (Street of the Martyrs of the Foibe) with a reference to the “Rabska brigada,” a partisan formation associated with a large fascist concentration camp in Croatia. This act, described as an ideological statement, attempts to equate the suffering of those killed in the foibe with Italian repression in Istria, a claim that has sparked outrage.

The President of the Tuscan Region emphasized the importance of remembrance, stating the need to “counter every form of denialism and strengthen a European conscience based on peace, coexistence and dialogue between peoples.” However, the events in Reggio Emilia suggest a significant challenge in achieving this goal, with deep-seated ideological divisions hindering a unified and respectful commemoration.

The controversy surrounding Remembrance Day underscores the complex and often painful legacy of the post-World War II period in the Adriatic region. The differing interpretations of historical events, coupled with contemporary political tensions, continue to fuel debate and make a shared understanding of the past a difficult, yet crucial, undertaking. The events of this year highlight the ongoing need for careful consideration of historical narratives and a commitment to respectful dialogue in the face of deeply held convictions.

Initiatives like the “Treno del memoria” (Train of Memory), which will run from February 10th to March 1st, 2026, aim to trace the journey of those who were displaced, offering an itinerant exhibition on a historical train. This project, supported by the Italian FS Group and the FS Foundation, seeks to educate the public about the tragedy of the foibe and the exodus through multimedia displays and personal artifacts.