Defascination: a ski resort in northern Italy will regain its original French name

In the history of Italy, in addition to fascism, there is another page associated with it, unpleasant and little known outside its borders, which in Rome often prefer not to remember at all: the policy of “Italianization” (Italianizzazione) carried out. under Mussolini.

Within its framework, mainly in the regions of the country bordering Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland, in the 1930s the toponymy was forcibly modified and bilingual schools were closed. Even the “dissonant” surnames of local residents were subject to correction, and special instructions were drawn up for the central press and book publishers, ordering to avoid foreign terms and names, replacing them with Italian or Italianized analogues.

However, today, at least in one case, justice has prevailed and a small town in northern Italy, a famous ski resort, Cervinia will return to its original French-speaking name: Le Breuil.

The fight for the historical name of the town, which belongs to the commune of Valtournenche, on the border with Switzerland, was started by local activists more than ten years ago, and now the authorities of the Valle d’Aosta region have put an end to it definitive. to this topic. According to Corriere della Sera, after many years of bureaucratic vicissitudes, Governor Renzo Testolin finally signed the corresponding decree.

However, not everyone agreed with this decision. Thus, the newly elected mayor of Valtournantst, Elisa Cicco, spoke out against “ping-pong with names”. The problem, as local residents and business representatives also point out, is that Cervinia is a “hyped” and recognizable brand, associated with one of the best alpine resorts in Italy. In addition, protesters emphasize, a large number of maps, signs, signals and road signs will need to be replaced, in addition to thousands of administrative documents being corrected.