by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Maria Dolores Ferrara, professor and President of the Equal Opportunity Committee (CUG), University of Trieste; Morgan Baliviera, President of the Student Council of the University of Trieste
Ten years after the disappearance of Italian researcher Giulio Regeni in Egypt, the University of Trieste joined the national initiative Le Università per Giulio Regeni, promoted by scientist and Senator for Life Elena Cattaneo, with a day of remembrance centered on academic freedom and human rights.
A packed auditorium of students gathered at the university’s Aula Magna to watch Giulio Regeni – Tutto il male del mondo, a documentary produced by Fandango and Ganesh, followed by a roundtable discussion with Regeni’s parents, Paola Deffendi and Claudio Regeni.
Speakers throughout the day stressed the role of universities in defending democracy and protecting researchers. “When a regime targets a researcher, it is a sign of profound democratic distress,” Vice Rector Mauro Tretiach said, warning that democracy survives only through collective participation and vigilance.
The most emotional moment came when Giulio’s parents entered the hall holding the yellow banner reading “Verità per Giulio Regeni” — “Truth for Giulio Regeni” — to a standing ovation from the audience.
Allowing the documentary to be made, the couple said, had not been easy. “It was difficult to entrust ten years to one hundred minutes of images,” they reflected, adding that they still hope the ending of Giulio’s story — and the search for justice — can one day change.
