Lenin monument in Kerch main square. Kerch, Crimea, December 2008

From 1830 to the end of the XIX century an Italian migratory flux, mainly from Puglia (Italy), reached Crimea, at that moment part of the Russian Empire. With the beginning of Communism the destiny of these Italians worsened, until ending up in a tragedy.

Copy of the birth certificate of Maffione Marta Maria, born in Bisceglie (Bari, Italy) in 1893 and married with Vincenzo DellÕOlio, originally from Naples. They arrived in Kerch in 1920, but because of the Stalin repression only Marta Maria left Kerch to go back to Italy in 1932. At the moment only their grandson Vladimir DallÕOlio lives in Kerch with his family, the wife Ludmilla and the son Aleksey. Kerch, Crimea, December 2008

In 1830 and 1870 two migratory fluxes arrived in Kerch, Crimea, from Italy; during the following years relatives and friends would join them. They were mainly farmers, seamen and experts in shipyards coming from Puglia (Italy), attracted by the mirage of unexploited fertile lands and the wish of a better future. It is also important to consider that at the end of 1800 and beginning of 1900 Italian migration was promoted by the Russian Empire Authorities to develop agricultural activities mainly in grape cultivation and wine production.

The gymnasium wall with signs of the battle during German occupation in the Second World War. Kerch, Crimea, December 2008

Across the 30’s strong repression began, followed by the Stalinist Purge between 1935-38; many Italians were accused to be Italian spies and therefore arrested, tortured and shot dead. Some of them were deported to Russian gulags from where they never came back.

Giulia Giachetti Boiko, President of Cerkio, the Italian Association that count almost 100 people. Because of the repression during the communism, some people are still afraid to talk about and to declare their origins, one of the reason because the Association doesnÕt count with all the members of the community. Kerch, Crimea, December 2008

On 28th of January 1942 the Italian families that were living in the Kerch province, were given 2 hours and the possibility to take a maximum of 8 kg of their belongings before being deported to Kazakhstan. The agony to get there, mainly in led wagon trains, lasted two months. Many people died before reaching the destination because of hunger, cold and other hardships; some survivors remember that the dead bodies were abandoned at different train stations. Such was the shock, that after 65 years many people still refuse to remember that moment.

Giovannella Fabiano at the age of 18 photographed when she was still in Kazakhstan. Like in many other people living in Kerch and belonging to the Italian community, are visible some typical south Italian characters in her physiognomy. Giovannella remember that due to her beauty she managed to have some benefit in Kazakhstan that others didnÕt. Kerch, Crimea, December 2008

After the death of Stalin in 1953, some Italians moved back to Kerch as did others in the following years.
Today in Kerch there is a community of almost 350 people that assure to be descendant of Italians. Unfortunately there are very few documents that prove their origins since they were taken during deportation, destroyed or changed into Russian documents. Descendants of fourth or fifth generation are demanding to be recognized as deported minority (status until now denied by the Ukraine authorities) and that the Italian government recognizes their origins. A plaque was placed in the square facing the train station in Kerch to commemorate the deported minorities and in honour of those who died in this tragedy. Italians are not mentioned.

Giovannella Fabiano at the age of 68 at her home in Kerch where she lives with her daughter. Giovannella was deported with her family when she was 2 years old and she doesnÕt remember much about the fact. Kerch, Crimea, December 2008

The kitchen in the Giulia Giachetti house, with a gift from Italian friend, the moca coffee maker. Kerch, Crimea, December 2008

Natale De Martino in his house where he lives with his wife Nina while shows the the house purchase agreement where he lived with his family until the day of the deportation, 28 January 2008, and now belongs to other owner. Kerch, Crimea, December 2008

Alexandr e Giulietta Fabiano, father and daughter, walking down the stairs of Mitridate hIll, partially builded by the Italians. Kerch, Cirmea, December 2008

Tatiana Petringa in a bus on her way back home. Tatiana lives with her mother Vera and the Grandmother Emilia which was deported in 1942 to Kazakhstan by the communists. Kerch, Crimea, December 2008

Vitale Di Mello inside one of Agimuskaj coves in the periphery of Kerch where many people lived for several days to protect them self from the bombing of the Germans during the Second World War. Kerch, Crimea, December 2008

Alexandr Fabiano walking on Mitridate hill between ruins of the fortres used by Russians to block the German troops during the Second World War. Kerch, Crimea, December 2008