AQUILEIA: THE GREAT LOST CITY

Il corso C LSA ha avuto l’opportunità di ascoltare un relatore di eccezione: l’ex diplomatico inglese Mr Peter Marshall, appassionato di geografia politica e di arte, curatore della mostra temporanea su “ AQUILEIA THE GREAT LOST CITY”, tenuta a Londra presso la Royal Geographical Society nella primavera del 2015. Ecco le impressioni di un allievo di quinta espresse in lingua inglese.

Who are we? We are the result of a historical process, a mixture of cultures that should be preserved. Last week we were able not only to know local history better, but also to know ourselves better thanks to Professor Peter Marshall's lecture on “Aquileia: the great lost city”. This is the title of a temporary exhibition held at the Royal Geographical Society in London by Mr Marshall in spring 2015. The Roman Aquileia fascinated most Londoners who enjoyed the discovery of our noble and yet lost city: “if no one knows about Aquileia, it is because no one cares about spreading the news”.

During the debate Mr Marshall pointed out the relevant role Aquileia played during the Roman Empire, the fact that Venice took advantage of the crafting skills of the Aquileians ( especially with glass and jewels) obliged to escape from barbarian invasions, the need to be proud of our noble origins. Yet pride should not be confused with jealousy. We must share this cultural and historic treasure with the rest of the world because our identity is worth something only if recognised by others.

Being Friulian, however, means to recognise the greatness of our Roman ancestors as well as the peculiarities of our Longobards fathers: our traditions and our local language, Friulian, are in fact derived from both the Celts living before the Roman empire and the variety of german tribes that invaded our region, first and foremost the Huns led by Attila.

In conclusion, I would say that, if we do not know our origins, if we do not share a collective memory, we will never know our identity. Love comes from knowledge as stated by ancient Greeks in the motto “ know yourself”.

Massimiliano Prelli  - 5C LSA