The village of Gargnano is set to host a series of four evenings dedicated to the commemoration of crucial moments in Italian history, with a particular focus on events that have affected the Lake Garda area. The initiative, titled “Gargnano, History and Its Places,” will feature Professor Bruno Festa delving into complex themes, offering reflections on the past. The series, running from July 22 to August 12, is organized by the Culture Department of the Municipality and aims to explore historical events through both local and national perspectives.
The Presidency of the Council of Ministers in Bogliaco
The first event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 9:00 PM at the Garden of Palazzo Bettoni in Bogliaco. The conference, titled “Bogliaco: The Presidency of the Council of Ministers,” will focus on the period when ministers, archives, soldiers, and state officials relocated to the Lake Garda region. This event aims to shed light on a lesser-known chapter of local history, specifically the presence of the republican government headquarters from 1943 to 1945, highlighting the impact of this relocation on the daily life of the village and the political dynamics of the time.
Gargnano: Mussolini’s Headquarters
The series continues on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, also at 9:00 PM, in the Garden of Palazzo Feltrinelli in Gargnano, with the conference “Gargnano: Mussolini’s Headquarters.” This meeting will delve into the history of Villa Feltrinelli and the Palace, locations that played a central role during the Italian Social Republic. The discussion will analyze how these structures were transformed into nerve centers of power, influencing decisions and events of that period.
The Antisemitic Republic
The third meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 9:00 PM in the Piazzetta of Villa di Gargnano, where the topic will be “The Antisemitic Republic: Complicity with the Holocaust.” This session will address the discriminatory policies and persecution of Jews during the Italian Social Republic, examining the local context and complicity with the atrocities of the Holocaust. It will be a moment of remembrance and in-depth reflection on one of the darkest chapters of contemporary history.
Resistance, Civil War, Liberation
The final event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the “Sito Boldini,” near the Casel della TDR. The concluding conference, “Resistance, Civil War, Liberation,” will retrace the events that led to the end of the conflict, from the Resistance to the assassination of Mario Boldini, culminating in Liberation. This meeting aims to provide a comprehensive view of the dynamics that characterized the final phase of the war, highlighting the role of the Lake Garda area in these crucial events.
Admission to all events is free until seats are filled, but reservations are mandatory. For information and reservations, you can contact the Culture Office at 0365-792950900. In case of bad weather, the conferences on July 22 and 29 will be held inside their respective palaces, while those on August 5 and 12 will take place in the Sala Castellani.
Italian Version
