As a result of a joint research and discussion, this essay aims to reconstruct the most ambitious memorial project in memory of the fallen of the Italian-Ottoman war (1911-1912): the Henni ossuary. After describing some similar undertakings that both the Army and the civilians carried out during the conflict, the authors focus on the promoting committee and its leaders: Angelo De Gubernatis and Mario De Feis, warmly cheered all over the parliament and the country, but incapable of achieving their goal. The project was left undone; nevertheless, the whole affair sheds light upon a topic so far unknown, as well as on the strong connections between the traditional religion and the religion of the fatherland on the eve of the Great War. Italian Catholics’ contribution to the ossuary went far beyond national loyalty: wishing to get rid of their unpatriotic reputation, several clergymen and laymen sacralized the armed nation and proclaimed the “crusade” against the enemy, just like they did in 1914-1918.
«Ai morti per una più grande Italia». Un monumento mancato ai caduti in Libia (1911-1913)
CAPONI, MATTEO;
2013
Abstract
As a result of a joint research and discussion, this essay aims to reconstruct the most ambitious memorial project in memory of the fallen of the Italian-Ottoman war (1911-1912): the Henni ossuary. After describing some similar undertakings that both the Army and the civilians carried out during the conflict, the authors focus on the promoting committee and its leaders: Angelo De Gubernatis and Mario De Feis, warmly cheered all over the parliament and the country, but incapable of achieving their goal. The project was left undone; nevertheless, the whole affair sheds light upon a topic so far unknown, as well as on the strong connections between the traditional religion and the religion of the fatherland on the eve of the Great War. Italian Catholics’ contribution to the ossuary went far beyond national loyalty: wishing to get rid of their unpatriotic reputation, several clergymen and laymen sacralized the armed nation and proclaimed the “crusade” against the enemy, just like they did in 1914-1918.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
