From the Great War battlefields to a united Europe

This is the title of the conference organized by Alessio Franconi in collaboration with the Representation of the European Commission in Italy and which was held on Thursday 25 October 2018 at Palazzo delle Stelline in Milan.

A reportage to reflect also about European Union law and its origins

Alessio Franconi, lawyer, photographer and author of the book  “Here they fought!” (Hoepli), illustrated the reportage experience that led him along the Great War battlefields from the Alps to the far away Carpathian Mountains. The research work and reportage has been deeply shaped by his legal knowledge.

Profession that allowed him to make a direct connection between that European tragedy and the European law evolution that arose from the desire of states to not repeat tragedies such as First and Second World War.

The speeches

The conference opened with the greetings of Massimo Gaudina, Head of the Representation in Milan of the European Commission and of Bruno Marasà, Head of the European Parliament Office in Milan.

Following the official greetings talked Alessio Franconi, Fausto Biloslavo, war reporter; Riccardo Perissich, Senior Fellow of School of European Political Economy – LIUSS and Antonio Padoa Schioppa, Historian of Law.

The photos of the exhibition “Here we fought! 1914 – 1918 “, exhibited in several European countries, accompanied the conference.

A leap into Europe’s dark past

The conference purpose was to highlight how, this leap into the dark past of Europe, is a tool to provide an interpretative key on contemporary society.

It is an instrument of historical memory to understand the origins of the European Union as we know it today. It is the testimony of how the European programs have influenced this historical research giving it a broad perception and of how the European Union law have concretely facilitated this reportage across many different European nations.

The speakers dealt with the topic on the basis of their personal and professional experiences, providing an overview that from the Great War shifted to contemporary conflicts. It was a chance to underline success and critical issues of the European Union.

The event was organized in collaboration with the Representation of the European Commission in Italy and was scheduled in Milano Montagna 2018 Festival program.

Euroleges ®