From 2 to 4 July 2025, the city of Trento hosted the international conference Toponyms of Historical Linguistic Minorities in Italy, held at the headquarters of the Autonomous Region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. The event was promoted by the Romano-Hellenic Division (RHD) of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) and the Joint ICA/IGU Commission on Toponymy, and organized by the Department of Humanities of the University of Trento in collaboration with the Autonomous Region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.
The conference provided a significant opportunity for interdisciplinary dialogue and reflection on the toponymy of historical linguistic minorities in Italy. It brought together scholars, experts, and institutional representatives from across the country and Europe. Special focus was placed on the evolution of place names, their perception among local communities, and the existing legal frameworks (in particular, Law 482/1999 and Presidential Decree 345/2001), as well as the challenges of standardization and official recognition of minority-language toponyms.
Over three days, the sessions explored the situation of minority toponymy in both Southern and Northern Italy, covering languages such as Arbëreshë, Occitan, Sardinian, Grecanic, Ladin, Cimbrian, Mòcheno, Slovene, Friulian, and others. Two round tables, with the participation of researchers and representatives from cultural institutions and associations, further deepened the discussion on the role of toponymy in preserving linguistic identities and collective memory.
The conference concluded with a cultural visit to Luserna, a village belonging to the Cimbrian linguistic minority in the Autonomous Province of Trento. Participants had the opportunity to experience firsthand local efforts to preserve linguistic and toponymic heritage.
Prof. Gianluca Casagrande, as Chair of the RHD-UNGEGN highlighted the importance of such initiatives in promoting academic research and fostering collaboration between scholars, institutions, and communities to safeguard Italy’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage.
