“Italian mnemonic activism about the Eastern Border and the EU memory laws.”

This thesis explores the mnemonic activism carried out by Italian actors concerning the remembrance of the victims of the so-called “foibe massacres” and “Julian-Dalmatian exodus”. The central question it seeks to answer is how and why politicians, particularly those from the center-right, have attempted to influence the narrative surrounding the violence and mass displacement that occurred along the Italo-Yugoslav border following World War II. To address this, a review of key scholarly literature, primarily in English and Italian, on the history of Italy’s eastern border has been undertaken. Chapter I provides a historical overview, outlining the background to the events under examination, including the foibe massacres and the exodus. It then examines the evolution of national narratives and historiographical interpretations from the 1940s through the 1990s, paying particular attention to how changing political dynamics influenced these narratives, especially in relation to Italo-Yugoslav, and later Slovenian and Croatian, relations. Chapter II shifts focus to the European level, analyzing the role of lobbying activities within EU institutions in shaping memory politics. It explores how Italian center-right politicians have engaged with European memory laws and the rise of an East European community of memory. This chapter also mentions the political strategies of Italian Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), whose interviews are included in the appendix, and how they have sought to influence European remembrance policies. Chapter III examines Italian domestic memory policy from the 1990s to the present, investigating government-led initiatives for commemorating the victims of the foibe. This chapter emphasizes the development of memory strategies, including educational and commemorative efforts, particularly the establishment of Italy’s Day of Remembrance. The case studies of EU cross-border cooperation projects and national educational policies for the study of the history of Italy’s eastern border further demonstrate the reciprocal relationship between Italian and EU memory politics.