by InTrieste
Students at the Enrico Mattei Institute in Latisana have marked the 60th anniversary of the devastating Nov. 4, 1966, flood with an exhibition examining the disaster through historical photographs, research and scientific analysis.
The exhibition, titled Le fotografie parlano ai giovani: ricordo e memoria delle alluvioni di Latisana (Photographs Speak to Young People: Remembering the Floods of Latisana), was visited Tuesday by Friuli Venezia Giulia Gov. Massimiliano Fedriga. Latisana Mayor Lanfranco Sette and the school’s headmistress, Angela Napolitano, also attended.
Organized by the school’s Ricordiamoci group, the project brought together students and teachers to document the floods and examine their impact on the local community. Teachers Battistuta, Pappalardo, Tancredi and Russo coordinated the initiative, while female students from the fourth- and fifth-year classes served as exhibition guides.
The scientific research component involved students from classes 5A and 2B in the applied sciences program, who researched, evaluated and presented information about the disasters.
During his visit, Fedriga highlighted the educational value of the project, particularly its emphasis on critical thinking and the verification of information in an era of widespread misinformation on social media.
He said that learning to assess the reliability of information was essential to helping young people develop independent opinions and make informed decisions.
The anniversary also renewed attention to flood protection measures in Latisana, which has experienced repeated flooding along the Tagliamento River.
Regional authorities have supported several hydraulic defense projects in recent years. In December 2023, work was completed to reinforce sections of the river embankments on the left bank, extending from the area near the hospital to downstream of Gorgo.
Fedriga said the regional government would continue investing in flood prevention through infrastructure projects and planning informed by scientific assessments and environmental considerations.
The measures, he said, are intended to protect residents, businesses, infrastructure and the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
