Article by Luigi Martulli, President of Materahub
In recent weeks, the Ventotene Manifesto has resurfaced in Italian political discourse, reigniting debates around a text that for years remained confined to academic and institutional circles.
As we approach Europe Day, its relevance becomes even more pressing—especially at a time when Europe is increasingly plagued by new forms of nationalism and nostalgia for the past.
This is why Materahub has placed the Manifesto at the heart of its annual Settimana dell’Europa (European Week), convinced that a serious discussion about Europe, federalism, and the common good must start from this foundational text.
A Bold Vision from the Past
But how can a document written nearly a century ago still serve as a guiding vision for the future of Europe?
Authored in 1941 by Altiero Spinelli, Ernesto Rossi, and Eugenio Colorni during their confinement on the island of Ventotene, the Manifesto outlines a bold proposal for a free and united Europe.
In the midst of World War II and Nazi domination, the authors advocated for the creation of a European Federal State as a safeguard against nationalistic conflicts and as a means to secure peace and prosperity.
Crucially, the Manifesto called for a new political force, independent of traditional national parties, which were seen as too entangled in domestic struggles to effectively address global challenges.
This vision led to the founding of the European Federalist Movement in August 1943, establishing the Manifesto as a cornerstone of the European integration project.
A Union Divided
Ironically, today’s European Union shows significant internal divisions, particularly on the issue of a common defense strategy.
Recent debates have revealed a lack of concrete proposals on how to advance military coordination among member states, with only vague references to shared resources.
The question facing Europe—and Italy—is whether we are willing to commit to a unified system of defense, justice, and security, especially as global stability is further strained by the erratic policies of leaders like Donald Trump.
These are critical times, filled with conflict and humanitarian crises that challenge our collective conscience, yet still do not compel Europe to take a clear moral and political stance.
The Manifesto Today
The Manifesto’s relevance today is striking.
To ignore topics like peace, inequality, and social justice is to betray the very ideals upon which the European Union was built.
We are once again at a crossroads. The risk of backsliding into nationalism and empowering intolerant leaders is real.
And while Europe demonstrated its strength during the pandemic through unified social policies and the Recovery Plan, it has since fallen back into paralysis, caught between self-interested national governments and the rise of nationalist movements that deepen mistrust among citizens.
Engaging the Next Generation
This is why Materahub is dedicating the European Week to the Manifesto and asking younger generations:
What does it mean to you?
How will you face the societal transformations ahead?
What role will you play in shaping a better Europe?
We believe only active, informed citizens can reverse this drift.
Reclaiming public space, both locally and globally, through cooperation and dialogue, is essential to rebuilding a shared European identity.
📅 May 9: Europe Day
As part of the Settimana dell’Europa program, Materahub is organizing a full day dedicated to the theme of European identity.
🕔 5:00 PM – Il Sicomoro – Matera, Italy
Creative workshop: “Europe: Do I Love You or Not?”
Participants will create a fanzine inspired by the Ventotene Manifesto, which will be presented to the public at:
