“Desaparecidos Sardi in Argentina”: the drama of our emigrants in the pages of history and memory

A new project promoted by the Sardinia Region sheds light on a forgotten page of Sardinian history: that of emigration to Argentina and the tragedy of the Sardinian desaparecidos. Thanks to regional funds from PAE 2024, the project “DSA Desaparecidos Sardi in Argentina” is starting, which aims to tell the story of the journey of many Sardinians who, seeking a better life in South America, found themselves facing the tragedy of the Argentine dictatorship and the tragic fate of the young people who disappeared during the dark years of the Guerra Sucia.

At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, Argentina hosted thousands of Sardinian emigrants, driven by poverty and lack of opportunities in their country of origin. There, many found work and started families, but unfortunately, in the 1970s, a number of them were swallowed up by the atrocities of the Argentine military dictatorship. Thousands of men and women, including many Sardinians, were arrested, tortured and killed, while hundreds more disappeared without a trace. The project intends to retrace those stories of betrayed hope and broken lives, starting right from the heart of Sardinia, where these tragedies are little known.

The aim of the project is a book of about 150 pages, edited by the writer Stefania Cuccu, which, addressing fundamental historical themes, will describe the causes of the massive Sardinian emigration to Argentina, starting from the Italian context of the two world wars. The text will also explore the birth of the Sardinian Emigrants' Clubs, which played a fundamental role in keeping alive the traditions and ties with the land of origin, and will delve into the story of Cosimo Tavera, a Sardinian emigrant who distinguished himself for his humanitarian commitment.

One of the most ambitious goals is to raise awareness among the new generations about the tragic story of the desaparecidos and the importance of historical memory. The book will be distributed directly in Sardinian secondary schools, preventing it from being forgotten on library shelves, thus providing teachers with an educational tool to deal with a topic that is as delicate as it is necessary. This marks only the beginning of a journey that also aims to establish a “Day of Remembrance” dedicated to the Sardinian desaparecidos, in line with the annual commemorations of the “Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice” that Argentina celebrates on March 24.

The book will not be distributed only in Sardinia, but will also reach the Sardinian emigrants' clubs in Italy and around the world, with the aim of creating a global network of memory and solidarity. The project, which has also received the support of Sardinian clubs abroad, such as those in Belgium and Germany, is an example of how Sardinian emigration, unfortunately also linked to painful and atrocious experiences, can strengthen the identity of a community that, through the knowledge and narration of tragic stories, finds one more reason to remember, not to forget and to work so that history does not repeat itself.