È arrivata l’Italia! Trieste 1954

On October 26, 1954, the city of Trieste emerged from a prolonged post-war limbo that had begun on September 15, seven years earlier. This period of uncertainty and instability left a deep imprint not only on the people of Trieste but also on those living along the borderlands.

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of Trieste's official reintegration into the Italian Republic, the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia, through the Livio Paladin Library, entrusted us with the curatorship of an exhibition.

From the outset, we recognized the inherent challenge in distilling such a complex and emotionally charged chapter of history into just a few images. To convey the intricate web of feelings tied to this moment, we chose an unconventional approach. Rather than focusing solely on official records, we sought to amplify the unofficial voices of those who shaped the collective memory of that time.

The evocative power of photographic and audiovisual media, with their ability to blend history with emotion, made them ideal tools for constructing a narrative deeply rooted in the experiences of everyday people. We aimed to present photographs and film footage not merely as historical artifacts, but as a source of intimate stories; vernacular glimpses into the lives of individuals whose personal histories intertwined with the pivotal events of October and November 1954. These visual records offer a unique lens, capturing everyday moments of family life as they unfolded amidst momentous historical change.

To bring this visual journey to life, we drew upon the contributions of various local partners.
The featuring of vernacular photographs was made possible through the generous loans from the Associazione Storiografica APS (curated by Massimo Sgambati and Lorenzo Ielen) as well as through the courtesy of Trieste collector Sergio Sargas. The State Archives of Trieste contributed a selection of formal images, including documentation of President Luigi Einaudi's visit on November 4, 1954. In the audiovisual section, historian and film critic Paolo Venier - himself an avid collector - provided rare footage from his personal collection, adding a rich layer of depth to the narrative.

Grana Fina, in collaboration with graphic designer Cecilia Cappelli, curated every aspect of the exhibition: from the careful selection of imagery to the exhibition design and visual identity, including an accompanying brochure providing historical and critical insights into the materials on display.

We thank Lorenzo Ielen, Massimo Sgambati and Sergio Sergas for kindly allowing the publication of some images from their private collections.