Book presentation by Oskar Peterlini: "Wie eigenständig ist Südtirol?"
Bolzano/Bozen, Bolzano/Bozen and environs
Bolzano, 21 September: presentation of Oskar Peterlini's book on South Tyrol's autonomy, at the Free University, with a reception.
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Bolzano will host the presentation of Oskar Peterlini's new book on South Tyrol's autonomy. The event takes place at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università, Conference Room D1.01, first floor.
Speakers:
- Prof. Alex Weissensteiner, Rector of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
- Philipp Achammer, Provincial Councillor for Culture, Education and University
- Prof. Jörn Dosch, Institute of International Politics, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, University of Rostock
- Prof. Suzanne S. Schüttemeyer, former Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Editor of ZParl
- Prof. Stefania Baroncelli, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano – Moderator
- Dr. habil. Oskar Peterlini, PhD, Contract Professor at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
The book "Wie eigenständig ist Südtirol? Geschichte, Recht und Politik" examines the historical, legal and political development of South Tyrol's autonomy. Conflicts between peoples, language groups and nationalities remain among the leading causes of international tension, war and forced migration today, often rooted in territorial boundaries that disregarded the cultural and linguistic identities of the populations involved. Tyrol, too, was affected by this process: after centuries of shared history and more than five hundred years as part of Austria, the southern part of the territory was assigned to Italy in 1919. This gave rise to the South Tyrol question, marked by fascism, assimilation policies and years of tension.
The Second Autonomy Statute of 1972 opened a new phase, securing the protection of linguistic minorities, fostering coexistence among ethnic groups and contributing significantly to the region's economic and social development — making the South Tyrolean model an internationally recognised example of the peaceful resolution of ethnic conflicts.
Drawing on more than a hundred years of South Tyrol's belonging to Italy and seventy years of autonomous experience, the book examines the legal foundations and practical workings of the autonomy, weighing its strengths and limitations, and considers whether the South Tyrolean model could serve as a reference for other minorities and regions around the world.
A reception will follow the event. Please confirm attendance by writing to oskar.peterlini@unibz.it or oskar.peterlini@gmail.com.
