Italy will hold a Day of Memory
February 10 to recall the murder of thousands of Italians by
Yugoslav communist partisans in the 'foibe' or crevasses of
Istria at the end of World War Two, Education Minister Stefania
Giannini said Tuesday.
Schools will learn about "the tragic events that obliged
hundreds of thousands of Italians, inhabitants of Istria, Fiume
and Dalmatia, to leave their homes, breaking centuries of
history and tradition," Giannini said.
Thousands of Italians were murdered and thrown into
crevasses or tossed in alive by Slovene and Croatian partisans
in reprisal for Italian occupation of Istria during the Second
World War.
That creating long-lasting tensions in relations between
Italy and the republics of Croatia and Slovenia which have been
accused of dragging their feet over compensation for exiles.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
