Free Trieste

If there is a place that perfectly represents the sacrality of the present-day Free Territory of Trieste‘s border, that place Mountain Hermada’s range.

In 1917, on this very line of low hills running from the Karst plateau to the Adriatic sea, the summer “waves” of Generalissimo Cadorna ended in blood. In the 10ᵗʰ and in the 11ᵗʰ battle of the Isonzo fell 150,000 men. A useless slaughter indeed. The defensive line of the Hermada, made of fortified caves (a true underground citadel) was the last, undefeated bulwark before Trieste.

Lately, the local nationalistic establishment is trying hard to show that “question Trieste” is no more. It does so because the people are cornering it, as they claim their rights under the 1947 Treaty of Peace.

Obviously, the establishment’s reactions can only be against the law. Indeed, Italy recognizes Trieste’s independence since 1947.

So off with long nationalistic celebrations and military marches. By now, it all looks like a grotesque ostentation of power. An attempt to intimidate the unharmed citizens of a demilitarised and neutral State.

The peak of this ostentation is the Italian Republic’s most recent nonsense: celebrating the centennial of May 24th, 1915.

It is the anniversary of the the Kingdom of Italy’s war declaration against Austria-Hungary. Only, this celebration goes against the very Constitution of the Republic, which repudiates war (art. 11). But, of course, the rulers of the Belpaese regard their own Constitution as scrap paper.

The people of Bozen, Trient and Trieste (all Austrian territories annexed to Italy after WWI) question and dispute the disgusting celebration. Yet, the very President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, legitimized such celebrations during a commemoration on Mountain San Michele, another site of the massacres of the Great War.

They have a fancy program for Trieste. Simulating special forces landings in the international Free Port. Launching paratroopers a la operation “Rösselsprung”. All of this to reassure the local establishment: Trieste won’t enjoy international legality.

Yet, no citizens of Trieste attended all those militaristic shows, which are taking place in a demilitarized State under the UNSC’s own protection.

Most of them, in such a sad day, left the city to avoid getting involved in the shameful provocation. And many of them met right on Mountain Hermada. The Hermada is the Free Territory’s holy mountain, and the end of Trieste’s border with Italy.

The people of Trieste won’t let their historical memory be cancelled: their stand for legality in the Free Territory, no matter what.

Translated from blog “Ambiente e Legalità” – “Environment and Legality” by Roberto Giurastante