The crew of the Klizia boat, as part of the "Return to the Land of the Fathers" project, promoted by the Egea association, from Fertilia, arrived (by land) as far as Ferrara.
The captain of the boat is Giulio Marongiu, 85 years old, an exile from Pola, who will return to Istria after more than 75 years thanks to this trip. Marongiù in fact ran away at the age of seven: too much pain for the suffering suffered by his family. The team that accompanies him on this extraordinary journey also includes his son Federico, his friend Mauro Manca, grandson of exiles and Giuseppe Bellu, of a Venetian mother.
The journey in the name of all the exiles, a navigation of over 800 miles through the lands of Ferrara, Veneto, Venezia Giulia and Istria, from which the main communities that formed Fertilia arrived together with the Sardinians and the Algherese. In fact, there are several Fertilia families originally from Ferrara, whose fathers brought the experience acquired above all in the field of land reclamation to Sardinia and then decided to stay on the island.
"We strongly support this initiative, for the recovery, the rediscovery of a history that is also Ferrara and that speaks of roots, of the union of people and of experiences, even very difficult ones, in the sign of work and common values", said the Mayor Alan Fabbri, welcoming the crew and staff today.
With the mayor also Paolo Govoni, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of Ferrara and Ravenna.
«This project - he said - rediscovers a history of true relationships and territories that unite again under the sign of the fathers. A story that was almost unknown. Let's reconnect and reconnect the threads of the past, rediscovering that inclusion based on values and work». Commander Marongiu is excited. «For me it will be the first time in Istria after my escape over 75 years ago. I remember those moments: we were 1,500 refugees. Poverty was great, but we knew how to be happy, being together, finding the joy of singing and always a way to smile".
The crew left Alghero on 30 July and, by sea, reached Stintino, Castelsardo, Santa Teresa di Gallura, then Corsica, Solenzara and Bastia, then the island of Capraia and Livorno. From here the landing on the mainland, then Civitavecchia, Fiumicino and Gaeta. From Gaeta the route to Ferrara was made by land, with landfall in these hours in the area, touching Porto Garibaldi. Tomorrow morning the departure will be from Chioggia, towards Venice, then the routes will direct towards Trieste and Istria.
