The new edition of “Storia in città” kicked off on October 15; it is a series of ten events focused on accessible history, organized jointly by the Universities of Trieste and Udine.

The series, which began in 2013, will focus this year on the theme “Leaders, Democracies, and Power in the Postwar Era”—an exploration of the role of individual personalities in history and the complex relationship between influential leaders and contemporary society. The program includes ten events (five in Trieste and five in Udine) that will examine the political trajectories and impact of the great leaders and dictators who shaped the 20th century. Specifically: Alcide De Gasperi, Indira Gandhi, Fidel Castro, Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Deng Xiaoping, Mikhail Gorbachev, John Paul II, Golda Meir, and Charles de Gaulle.

Some of Italy’s leading historians will discuss these figures, including: Adriano Roccucci, Antonella Salomoni, Loris Zanatta, Marcello Flores, and Gaetano Quagliariello.

“The project,” explain Donata Vianelli, president of the University of Trieste, and Angelo Montanari, president of the University of Udine, “was launched with the goal of building a solid bridge between academic research excellence and the general public, offering rigorous yet accessible insights into the central issues of our time. We are particularly pleased that this important project has fostered a structured synergy between the two universities: history is a public good, and it is important for institutions to collaborate so that a healthy awareness of our past and present can develop.”

The Program

The events will take place at 6:00 p.m. In Trieste at the University’s Language Center (Via Filzi 14), and in Udine at the Fondazione Friuli (Via Gemona 1). For information, visit www.storiaincitta.it

Following the opening event, dedicated to “Indira Gandhi” and featuring Emanuela Mangiarotti (University of Pavia), the program continues on October 22 in Udine with “Margaret Thatcher,” analyzed by Domenico Bruni (University of Siena). Next up: on October 29, in Trieste: “Ronald Reagan,” with Elisabetta Vezzosi (University of Trieste). On November 5, in Udine: “Fidel Castro,” with Loris Zanatta (University of Bologna). On November 12, in Trieste: “Deng Xiaoping,” with Guido Samarani (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice). On November 19, in Udine: “Mikhail Gorbachev,” with Antonella Salomoni (University of Bologna).

The schedule: November 26, in Trieste: “John Paul II,” with Adriano Roccucci (Roma Tre University). December 3, in Udine: “Alcide De Gasperi,” with Vera Capperucci (Luiss Guido Carli). December 10, in Trieste: “Golda Meir,” with Marcello Flores (University of Siena). December 17, in Udine: “Charles de Gaulle,” with Gaetano Quagliariello (Luiss Guido Carli).

The series is under the academic direction of Patrick Karlsen (University of Trieste) and Tommaso Piffer (University of Udine). The series is organized with the support of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region. The Regional Institute for the History of the Resistance and Contemporary History in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Irsrec FVG) and the History Circle of the Friuli Storia association in Udine have collaborated on the project.

The initiative is structured around a shared calendar and builds on a pilot project conducted in Trieste by the Regional Institute for the History of the Resistance and Contemporary History in Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Department of Political and Social Sciences (Dispes) at the University of Trieste. Since 2013, “Storia in città” has established itself as a highly accessible series capable of attracting a wide audience and drawing media attention. Past editions demonstrate the format’s ability to address pressing current issues: international crises (2023), resistance and liberation (2024), and disinformation and fake news (2025).