Natalonga for Europe
From the Ventotene Manifesto to the Conference on the Future of Europe
Nearly seventy swimmers and enthusiasts took part in the 3rd Natalonga for Europe on July 17, 2021, which we dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Ventotene Manifesto, written by Altiero Spinelli with Ernesto Rossi and Eugenio Colorni in 1941, who were confined to the island by fascism.
Also in the water were Olympians Alessandra Sensini, Alessandro Terrin and Frenchman Emmanuel Front.
After participating in the 2019 edition, Aria, the great-granddaughter of Altiero Spinelli, also returned to swim with us.
Godmother of the event, albeit remotely, was Italian-Hungarian Holocaust survivor writer Edith Bruck, Strega Youth Prize 2021, who wanted to send a message to the participants.
On 80 years since the Ventotene Manifesto, Edith Bruck's message.
EU-RE-CA.
As part of the event, the EU-RE-CA - EUropean REpublican CAfès project was presented, a network of cafes that will be as many places of discussion on the future of the Union, with the aim of paving the way for a Republic of Europe. In addition to EuropaNow! the project is supported by. Acmos Welcome to Italy Foundation New Europeans European Democracy Lab Voxeurop.
What is Natalonga
1700 meters swim to the origin of the European dream, from the island of Santo Stefano to Ventotene's Calanave beach, to reaffirm the urgency of engaging in reviving the founding values of the European Union and to claim a new Europe based on equal rights.
A plunge into the dream of the founding fathers
Ernesto Rossi with Altiero Spinelli and Luigi-Einaudi
To ward off nationalist threats, it is necessary not only to remember that the roots of the EU lie in the memory of the tragedies of the 20th century but also to rediscover that courage of the founding fathers to imagine radical changes, to build a Europe based on equal rights for all citizens.
Political, social, fiscal, environmental and civil rights.
Participating in the Natalonga for Europe means symbolically swimming to this goal.
It is in this spirit that EuropaNow! every summer since 2019, organizes the non-competitive open water swimming race on the island where it all began
After the 1st edition in 2019 involved more than 50 swimmers, the 2nd in 2020 saw participation limited to 12 participants (as many as the stars of the European flag) due to post-Covid health measures.
Despite these restrictions, we felt it was essential to keep the appointment in order to get to 2021, the 80th anniversary of the Ventotene Manifesto, and because the Conference on the Future of Europe (#CoFoe) opened.
Natalonga 2020, Ventotene
Our videos
The Natalonga for Europe is organized in collaboration with the Municipality of Ventotene and the European Commission Representation in Italy.
2019, Vimeo
2020, Vimeo
