Büyükelçi Trichilo, Vergarolla Katliamı'nın 80. Yılında Pula'da Anma Törenine Katıldı

Ambassador Trichilo to Croatia in Pula for the 80th Anniversary of the Vergarolla Massacre

(ANSA) - ZAGABRIA, 19 AGO - The Italian Ambassador to Croatia, Paolo Trichilo, accompanied by the Consul General in Rijeka, Iva Palmieri, and the Honorary Consul, Tiziano Sošić, traveled to Pula to participate in the commemoration organized by the city authorities, with the support of the Embassy, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Vergarolla massacre. The explosion of military ordnance on Vergarolla Beach on August 18, 1946—under circumstances that remain unclear—resulted in the deaths of over 100 Italians, of whom only 64 were identified. The program included the throwing of wreaths from a boat into the sea off the beach (now a restricted military zone), Holy Mass at Pula Cathedral, and the blessing of the new memorial stone bearing the names of the 64 identified victims. In his remarks (the only ones, along with those of the Mayor of Pula), the Ambassador—citing the statement from the Prime Minister—emphasized the importance of keeping the memory of the massacre alive, as it is inextricably linked to the history of the Exodus, and expressed the hope that in the future, light might be shed on the remaining uncertainties surrounding the incident. At the same time, we must look to the future, all the more so in a context where Italy and Croatia are friendly nations, both members of the EU. The Ambassador therefore expressed appreciation for the prominent role played by the City of Pula in organizing the ceremony and for its collaborative approach toward the exiles, expressing the hope that this positive path—characterized also by progress in the field of historiography—will continue. After wreaths were laid—including those from the Embassy in Zagreb and the Consulate General in Rijeka—at the memorial, an exhibition was inaugurated, provided by the IRCI in Trieste (Regional Institute for Istrian-Rijeka-Dalmatian Culture), also sponsored by the Embassy, dedicated to the Italian physician Geppino Micheletti and the rescue efforts carried out after the Vergarolla massacre. The Ambassador reiterated his hope that this extraordinary figure would be granted official recognition in Pula. Finally, he took part in an event organized by the Community of Italians in Pula. Read article...