The art project “Exiles” represents an unprecedented expressive form dedicated to remembering the tragedy of the Foibe massacres and the mass exodus that profoundly affected the Italian populations of Fiume, Istria, Venezia Giulia, and Dalmatia at the end of the Second World War.

At the invitation of the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana, the “Exodus” art project was presented in a two-week exhibition hosted in the prestigious Sala del Cenacolo, within the Vicolo Valdina Complex at the Italian Chamber of Deputies in Rome.

“Memory must not be merely the exercise of remembrance, but a concrete commitment to ensuring that the pain of the past becomes awareness for the future.” With these words, President Lorenzo Fontana inaugurated the exhibition “Exodus. Lest We Forget. In memory of the Foibe massacres and the Julian-Dalmatian exodus.” The initiative, promoted on the occasion of the National Remembrance Day, was described by President Fontana as “a rightful tribute to the victims of a collective tragedy that must never be forgotten.” He further emphasized that it stands as “a strong and enduring warning against the horrors of war,” expressing hope that this commemoration may help enrich the civic consciousness of the nation.

Art critic Alberto Moioli also highlighted the power of art to recount tragic events without diminishing its evocative strength. “We can speak of beauty even when art addresses dramatic facts: these works are not mere aesthetic exercises, but profound reflections that lead us to grow,” Moioli remarked.

In his address, Federico Mollicone, Chairman of the Culture Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, reaffirmed the importance of initiatives such as this in honoring the memory of the victims of the Foibe massacres and the exiles. “Remembrance is a duty of truth and justice. These works capture the anguish of a tragedy that has been forgotten for far too long,” he declared, announcing that the Train of Remembrance, which made a stop in Rome on February 16th and 17th, would continue this path of historical awareness — using the image of the painting “Welcome?” to promote the initiative.

As the son of exiles from Fiume, though I did not live through those events personally, I feel a deep and personal connection to these tragic stories, which for many years received little recognition and often stirred controversy within both Italian public and political opinion.

I believe it is essential to preserve and renew the memory of the tragedy that struck the victims of the Foibe massacres, as well as the exodus of the Istrian, Fiuman, and Dalmatian communities from their homelands in the aftermath of the war — along with the entire complex history of Italy’s eastern border. Through my work, I wished to offer a contribution to the remembrance of this painful chapter of Italian history, which for too long was culpably overlooked. I chose to do so through the artistic language that most naturally belongs to me: painting. In this context, my project represents something new, as — to my knowledge — no other similar artistic initiative has ever been dedicated to this subject.

The aim of the project is to promote awareness and remembrance of these tragic events through presentations in appropriate venues capable of ensuring their due visibility and dissemination. It stands as a tribute to stories long consigned to oblivion, to a painful memory that profoundly marked the lives of countless people.

The twenty-three works on display, some of which were placed in the adjoining sacristy, trace a journey beginning with the narrative of the Foibe massacres, moving through the experiences of exile and loss. The intention is to evoke the terror endured by the innocent victims of the Foibe, and the uncertainty, anguish, and disorientation of the exiles. In developing this artistic path, I ventured into a visual language that combines elements of surreal realism and, at times, metaphysical symbolism — realms I have previously explored in my artistic practice.