Quaderni, Vol. XXXVII No. 1, 2026.
Professional paper
“IT IS A HOLIDAY OF PATRIOTIC FAITH”. EXAMPLES OF “SACRALIZED” POLITICS IN POLA IN 1919, ACCORDING TO THE NEWSPAPER L’AZIONE: PEOPLE, PLACES, AND SPEECHES
David Orlović
; Ginnasio di Pola - Gimnazija Pula
Abstract
The paper explores the symbolism of the “liberation” of Pula in the first year of
Italian administration following the termination of the First World War. The city
administration was initially entrusted to the military command of the naval fort first
led by Vice Admiral Umberto Cagni, and later by Lorenzo Cusani Visconti, whereas
municipal administration was taken over by the city committee with Domenico
Stanich at the helm. The local newspaper L’Azione and committed individuals like
the author and officer Sem Benelli contributed to the development of propaganda
that blended civic rituals, national symbols and a liturgical-like language. The cult
of irredentist martyrs, particularly in the case of Nazario Sauro, played a crucial role
in the symbolic legitimation of the new Italian sovereignty. Throughout 1919, public
celebrations, official visits and patriotic events, often held at symbolic venues like
the Amphitheatre of Pula, turned urban space into a political stage. At the same
time, the city was confronted by postwar economic hardships, social tensions and
a grave sanitary situation. Despite these challenges, the official propaganda built
an image of national rebirth that culminated in the 1919 festivities and the local
reactions to the occupation of Rijeka led by Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio.
Keywords
Pola, Istria, propaganda, sacralization of politics, remembrance
Hrčak ID:
353245
URI
Publication date:
12.11.2026.
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