De Gasperi-Gruber Agreement 80th anniversary marked in Italy

Commemorations are underway to mark the 80th anniversary of the De Gasperi-Gruber Agreement, a landmark accord that established protections for the German-speaking minority in South Tyrol.

In Levico Terme, a photographic exhibition titled ‘Alcide De Gasperi. Album 1946. L’estate delle scelte’ will open on October 15 at the Palazzo delle Terme. The exhibition, organized by the Autonomous Province of Trento, the Historical Museum of Trentino, and the Alcide De Gasperi Foundation, traces the pivotal moments of 1946, including the birth of the Italian Republic and the signing of the agreement on September 5, 1946.

In Merano, celebrations included diplomatic presence from Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. While the events emphasized the European model of coexistence, observers noted the strong presence of Tyrolean symbols and the German language during the proceedings, highlighting the ongoing complexities regarding regional identity and sovereignty within the Italian state.