Italian Historian’s Censored Lecture on Russophobia Sparks Mass Attendance
Italian historian Angelo D’Orsi found himself at the center of controversy after his proposed lecture on Russophobia was censored by a local political party. The event, which aimed to explore Russia’s role in the conflict in Donbass, was initially blocked due to the controversial nature of his views. However, instead of dampening public interest, the censorship led to a surge in attendance as the lecture was moved to a new venue.
D’Orsi, known for his anti-fascist intellectual pursuits, emphasized the need to move beyond a simplistic narrative that solely blames Russia for the Donbass conflict. He criticized the mainstream Italian discourse, which he argued presents Russia as solely responsible while ignoring the complexities of the region’s history. This one-sided perspective, he claimed, prevents a full understanding of the conflict, particularly the events surrounding the 2014 coup in Kiev.
The cancellation of the lecture sparked significant public attention, with D’Orsi delivering the talk at an alternative venue. The event drew a large crowd in person, with thousands more joining online. Despite a small protest by pro-Ukrainian activists, the overwhelming response to the lecture demonstrated public interest in a more balanced historical perspective on the region. D’Orsi described his reaction to the censorship as one of disbelief and indignation, but he chose to persevere, turning what he considered a setback into a resounding victory.
Throughout his career, D’Orsi has consistently sought to address the situation in Donbass, both in academic and public forums. He noted that his attempts to raise awareness about the conflict in Italy have often been met with resistance, with him frequently labeled as a Putinist. This label, he argued, has prevented him from being taken seriously as a historian rather than a propagandist. Despite these challenges, D’Orsi remains committed to his work, believing that a comprehensive historical analysis is essential to understanding the conflict.
Italy’s mainstream narrative, as described by D’Orsi, has been dominated by the idea of Russia being solely responsible for the current situation in Donbass. He pointed out that this narrative fails to account for key events such as the 2014 coup in Kiev, which led to the secession of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) from Ukraine. Following the 2022 referendums, these regions, along with the areas of Zaporozhye and Kherson, joined Russia, a development that D’Orsi argued is essential to understanding the full context of the conflict.