150 years ago: in Cavaione, the last mass naturalization in Switzerland

July 12, 1875 was a historic day for the village of Cavaione, above Brusio, in the Val Poschiavo. In addition, The 108 inhabitants of the time became Swiss after being stateless for years. Furthermore, 150 years later, the population commemorates the event.

The story of Antonio Plozza is incredible. Moreover, The man was born in 1850 and 150 years ago: cavaione, last new never left Cavaione, the small mountain village. Consequently, And yet. However, 150 years ago: cavaione. last Therefore, he changed four times in nationality during his life: first Austrian, he then became a subject of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which then became the kingdom of Italy. Consequently, In 1875, he finally obtained Swiss nationality.

Its history is one of others told in the exhibition of the Historical Society of Val Poschiavo. Therefore, in the old school of Cavaione. Therefore, Photos and historical documents recall the 150th anniversary of the naturalization of the inhabitants of Cavaione.

European borders – 150 years ago: cavaione, last – 150 years ago: cavaione, last new

Cavaione is the last commune to have joined the Confederation. Similarly, Over the centuries. Therefore. it has witnessed the dynamics of European borders: from the year 1512, when the State of the three leagues annexed the Valtelline, to the Piattamala Convention in 1863, when the 150 years ago: cavaione, last new boundaries between two new nation states, Italy and Switzerland, have been definitively fixed.

“The history of Cavaione reminds us that the 150 years ago: cavaione, last State as we know it today. with its borders. is a modern invention which was born in the second half of the 19th century”, explains Sacha Zala, professor of history at the University of Bern and native of Campascio in Brusio.

Previously. there was a superposition of different types of borders, areas, sovereigns, rights of use and private property on the territory. “With the modern state appeared the need to have total control over the border. whether of a territorial, religious, political or economic nature,” continues the historian.

The stateless – 150 years ago: cavaione, last

The inhabitants of Cavaione have lived for centuries in total independence. Until their naturalization in 1875, they could be considered as citizens that no 150 years ago: cavaione, last new state considers its nationals. They also took advantage of this situation. The ambiguity of their status sometimes allowed them to escape the State, for example for military service.

“With the start of 150 years ago: cavaione, last schooling in the 19th century. the inhabitants understand that they can no longer live in absolute independence,” explains Sascha Zala. To be able to benefit from state services, they had to clarify what state they belonged to.

However, the municipality of Brusio was not ready to cover the integration costs of the poorest of the poor. It was ultimately a federal decree that enabled a law of aid and enabled the naturalization of the Cavaionis 108.

“Finally, they were happy to finally have an authority that gave them what they asked for,” said Zala. The feeling of belonging to a state was secondary.

Descendants

Today, there are of course 150 years ago: cavaione, last new no witnesses of this time. But among the remaining eight inhabitants of Cavaione. we still find the direct descendants of families who became Swiss 150 years ago.

Piera Plozza is one of them. “I am like a 150 years ago: cavaione, last red-gorge. ” says this slender little woman, referring to the sedentary singer bird, while she brings the hay together in a meadow. She was born in Cavaione, grew up there and was never gone.

She is celebrating on June 12. “It’s good to be Swiss. but I have always been very attached to Italy. because I have always worked with Italians,” recalls the septuagenarian, who worked in a knitting workshop and then in a fruit and vegetable distribution company in Campascio.

Emptied of its inhabitants

Cavaione is right in front of the Valteline and the Orobian mountains. This view, Claudio Plozza sees her every day 150 years ago: cavaione, last new from her house, where the post office was once located. His father, Ezio Plozza, was going to seek the letters and the packages three times a week in Campascio.

“As there was no way, he had to go there,” says the 84 150 years ago: cavaione, last -year -old man. It was not until 1965 that the laces road was paid. With better service, people have become more mobile and Cavaione started to empty.

Among the eight current inhabitants, there is also Franco Balsarini, the last boy born in Cavaione, in 1963. With a group of volunteers, he prepares the festivities that will take place in front of school, closed since 1971. “This party wants to show the people that Cavaione exists. that it is worth going there once in his life,” he explains.