Egea Haffner, the iconic 'Girl with the Suitcase,' encapsulates the heart-wrenching tale of the Istrian-Dalmatian exodus, marking her as one of Italy's most significant figures whose life story reflects the anguish of countless exiles.
Brought to life through sepia-toned photographs and the compelling narrative found within her recent book and film, Egea's early life remains intricately tied to her hometown of Pola. Born on October 3, 1941, she experienced her childhood during WWII, which would irrevocably alter her destiny. All this came crashing down on May 4, 1945, when soldiers came knocking at her door, escorting her father, Kurt Haffner, under the pretense of routine inquiries. This moment spiraled their lives from normalcy to chaos and tragedy.
Egea's familial bonds were severed; her father, labeled as 'suspicious' for his ability to speak German, was never to return. It is unfathomable to think of the children who were caught amid the political chaos—their innocence forever tinged with loss. "Mio padre fu prelevato... Altri tre colpi e si decise ad aprire" (My father was taken away... After three more knocks, we decided to open), Egea reminisced during her testimony.
Days later, the family began the agonizing process of leaving Pola. With just her belongings packed away, Egea was prepared for her departure—but little did she understand the gravity of it all. The sight of her uncle Alfonso presenting her with the suitcase, marked 'Exile 30.001,' was to become emblematic of thousands of others forced to flee their homes.
Once they began their relocation, mother and daughter made their way to Cagliari before finally settling with Egea’s paternal grandmother and uncles in Bolzano. This migration, fraught with prejudice, left deep scars on Egea, who grappled with a hidden identity. Her struggles were formidable; not only did she miss the comforts of home, but the stigma of being labeled as part of the 'fascist' exile community tormented her growing years.
Yet the heart of Egea's story transcends her personal tragedy. It serves as a poignant reminder of the broader historical injustices faced by Italians particularly from the Adriatic regions—exclusions and hostility followed many of them as they integrated and adapted to their new lives. Egea fought deeply with this legacy of shame, wanting to keep the memories alive. "Non voglio che questa storia venga dimenticata o strumentalizzata" (I don't want this story to be forgotten or used as propaganda), she has passionately declared, asserting the necessity of truth and remembrance.
The pivotal moment for Haffner came when her photograph was chosen as the image for a photographic exhibition on the exodus. This moment inspired Egea to share her experience through the written word. Her recent book, La bambina con la valigia, co-written with Gigliola Alvisi, chronicles her painful past and illuminates similar experiences among those displaced.
The successful adaptation of her narrative to film, aired on Rai 1, rekindled interest and empathy for the stories of Istrian exiles. Egea herself admitted, "Ho pianto dall'inizio alla fine" (I cried from beginning to end) when she viewed the film, reflecting the evocative emotion echoed by audiences everywhere.
At the Quirinale, surrounded by political leaders, Haffner's words drew tears from those like Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This was not simply the telling of her story but also the delivery of dignity and respect to all who suffered. "È il terzo anno che accolgo l’invito del presidente Mattarella al Quirinale. Ritengo sia stato importante parlare davanti... perché tutti devono ricordare la tragedia che abbiamo vissuto," she noted, emphasizing the importance of advocacy and awareness.
Today, at 83, Egea resides with her family near Rovereto, her life still woven with the desire to share her past and to educate younger generations. She participates actively, engaging youth across Italy, ensuring they understand the history of those like her. Reflecting on the significance of remembrance, she poignantly asserted, “Come dice Liliana Segre, quando noi moriremo, se non resterà la memoria, morirà tutto” (Like Liliana Segre says, when we die, if the memory doesn't remain, everything will die).
Even as she reached the twilight years of her life, Egea's story remains important. It is not only about what was left behind but also about the resilience and strength to carry forward. Egea Haffner, the 'Girl with the Suitcase,' will continue to symbolize the legacies of love, loss, and hope for generations to come.