In memory of Giorgio Asproni, intellectual and politician: «The object of my special care will be Sardinia»
Appointment at the regional library of Cagliari
“ Giorgio Asproni the rebel canon of the Risorgimento. Reflections and lines of research in the memory of Tito Orrù ” is the underlying theme of the meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Friday 15 December, in Cagliari, at the Regional Library (viale Trieste 137) starting at 5pm.
Speakers include historians Maria Corona Corrias, Marco Aterrano, Stefano Pira and Marco Pignotti (president of the Institute of History of the Risorgimento of Cagliari) together with Maria Ferrai Cocco Ortu, former director of the State Archives and the archivist Roberto Ibba.
Giorgio Asproni is one of the most original figures of the Italian Risorgimento . Born in Bitti, in 1808 he graduated in law to become a penitentiary canon in Nuoro. The cassock is suddenly abandoned because Asproni's true mission is politics: "the object of my special care will be our Sardinia". At the age of forty he was elected deputy in the Subalpine Parliament in Turin. His position was also renewed following Italian unification, therefore he was confirmed as a parliamentarian until 1876, the year of his death. In favor of Sardinia he claims a modern form of regional autonomy, a forerunner of the federalist model. This does not affect his fraternal bond with both Mazzini and Garibaldi whom he reached in Palermo during the expedition of the Thousand.
Studies
But Asproni was also a great journalist: he founded, directed and collaborated on many newspapers such as Il Diritto, Il Pungolo, Italia and Popolo, but above all he promoted and disseminated the democratic press in Sardinia. A tribute for historiographical importance must still be given today to those who initiated Asproni studies half a century ago: Carlino Sole and Tito Orrù, who deserve the credit of having valorised the monumental Diary that Giorgio Asproni wrote between 1855 and 1876. A source invaluable for understanding many obscure facets of the years straddling the unification phase. Over four thousand pages full of testimonies, outbursts and reflections. A cultural heritage of great value.
