IT-POW FAMILIES · FAMILIES AND MEMORIES OF ITALIAN PRISONERS OF WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA AFTER WORLD WAR II

IT-POW FAMILIES is proposing a research on the experience and memory of the families of Italian POWs held in Yugoslavia after WWII. The main goal is to study, understand and communicate the history of POWs through 3 family stories (case studies), using the paradigm of microhistory, the methodology of oral history and the tools of public history, and to effectively promote the outcomes among the non-academic society. The personal experience of POW families and the persistence and transmission of trauma through generations have not been studied up to now, thus the project will go beyond the state-of-the-art by giving voice to people that are not directly involved in war operations, but suffer the consequences (especially mothers, wives and children). The aim is to raise European awareness of how WWII had a big influence on the lives of people also years after the end of the war and, in this way, increase the understanding of the situation Europe is facing today (the refugee crisis). The project fits in one of the most relevant European challenges of Horizon 2020: ""Europe in a changing world – Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies"". My studies have so far been focused on diplomatic, political and military history of the Italo-Yugoslav relations, but not on social history and oral sources. The proposed project, thus, aims to fill not only the state-of-the-art gap of such studies, which are in general very rare in relation to the experience of POWs families, but as well widen my knowledge, ability and skills in the field of social, oral and public history. This will definitely become a big asset and virtue to my portfolio and make me a more competent and complete not only historian, but European citizen as well. In addition, the project intends to make a step forward in the dissemination of scientific results in historiography, since it aims to bring science closer to people and promote the outcomes among the society in an attractive and innovative way.""