Guest Op-Ed
Submitted by Ioannis Fidanakis
Today the various Southern Italian autonomist movements cover the entire political spectrum, yet fail to gain popular support and realize their dream of self-determination. They are fragmented and continue to hold on to arguments that will never result in the realization of their dream. There is the Movement for Autonomies, the Sicilian Alliance, Sud, the Southern Action League, New Sicily, and the most promising Lega Sud Ausonia. Why would I call Lega Sud Ausonia the most promising one may I ask? The answer is simple; they have at least developed the idea of an independent ‘Ausonia’. Although I may not agree with the name of this state or the identity they are attempting to establish, they are at least heading in the right direction.
These small regionalist political parties are not alone though in their vision of an independent or autonomous Southern Italy. The other major players in this cause are those who are dedicated to the restoration of the Bourbon Kingdom of Two Sicilies. The last true independent Southern state, the Kingdom of Two Sicilies holds obvious potential as a rallying call for any type of movement which dreams of Southern Independence. The Neo-Bourbon movements are also very promising with their objective of reconstructing pride in being Southern Italian. However attempting to create an identity around the Bourbon Monarch is just as weak as trying to base one on ancient italic tribes to establish a different identity or origin from Northern Italians.
The only solid and logical argument Southern Italian patriots could use which would result in the realization of Southern autonomy or independence would be to harness and reestablish their Italiote and Siceliote identities. Who were the Italiotes and Siceliotes you may ask? They were the pre-Roman Hellenic populations of Magna Graecia. Now all genetic evidence aside, which proves the shared heritage of Southern Italians and Hellenes, the Italiote consciousness establishes a distinct ethno-cultural identity, hence the strongest available strategy for Southern Italian patriots.
The Italiote argument merges creditable ancient and medieval claims creating the only one continuous legacy that justifies southern aspirations for autonomy or independence. It is supported by ancient Hellenic colonization of Southern Italy and the rise of independent Italiote city-states that rivaled those of mainland Hellas and fully participated in Pan-Hellenic games and ceremonies. An argument strengthened by the waves of Hellenic immigration during the early middle ages and after the fall of Constantinople. In fact one could even argue that Italiote claim could rival in legitimacy to that of the Neo-Bourbons. Thanks to the Catepanate, the former province of the Eastern Roman Empire that was comprised of southern Italy. Although not as recent as the Neo-Bourbons claims it does help to establish a continuous claim from ancient times up until the middle ages something in which the Neo-Bourbons are unable to provide, since they have no ancient legacy in Southern Italy.
The Hellenic character of Southern Italy through genetics, culture and strong linguistic influences in southern Italian dialects demonstrate the potential of the dormant Italiote consciousness. A consciousness that has a distinct and indigenous identity to the region from ancient until modern times as the dominant cultural, political and linguistic identity, unlike the Neo-Bourbons whose claims are based on a brief period of control and lack any ancient or indigenous claims. This continuous existence and dormant consciousness is still evident through the existence of Katoitaliotika or Grekanika, the modern indigenous Hellenic dialect of Magna Graecia still spoken by those who have not been fully Italianized. The struggle for the survival of the language of Magna Graecia goes hand in hand with the cultural colonialism suffered due to the North’s continued occupation.
In Salento, speakers of Katoitaliotika are recognized by the Italian parliament as an ethnic and linguistic minority. When this is considered, the Italiote claim offers one thing the Neo-Bourbons or minor regionalist parties do not, a precedent for instant minority recognition which would strengthen claims for autonomy. By far the awakening of the Italiote consciousness is the most logical strategy Southern Italian patriots could adopt. Not Lega Sud Ausonia, but rather Lega Sud Magna Graecia, adopting the cause of saving the Katoitaliotika language and pushing for its usage on administrative levels, in literature and ecclesiastical matters.
Today such a strategy could be taken on by first building bridges between Neo-Bourbon movements and regionalist parties with organizations like La Ionica, a cultural association for speakers of Katoitaliotika which attempts to protect bilingualism. Next by adopting the Italiote or Siceliote identity, for the struggle is larger than church affiliation or political ideology. It doesn’t matter if you are a Christian-Democratic or Monarchist, it’s the consciousness you identify with and the language you speak that are at the heart of it all. The only hope of autonomy or independence lies on Southern Italian patriots’ willingness to immerse themselves in their Hellenic heritage and relight the flame of Italiote consciousness.
[Mr. Fidanakis occasionally writes about Southern Italy on his blog, Enotitan Revolution. He is also the former president of the Panthracian Union of America "Orpheus" and a member of the Hellenic League of America HLA and Cyprus Action Network of America.]
