As the Winter Olympics gears up to be staged in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, the local Ladin minority, whose roots in the Dolomites stretch back a millennium, are grappling with a profound sense of neglect. Despite hosting the Games for the second time, their distinct culture remains sidelined, prompting community leaders to act independently to ensure their heritage does not fade into obscurity amid the glitz of the global sporting spectacle.
Cultural Erasure at the Olympics
The Ladins, an ancient ethnolinguistic group known for their craftsmanship and rich folklore, are expressing significant disappointment over the lack of representation in the upcoming Olympics. Organisers of the Milan Cortina Games have failed to engage with the Ladin community, despite past host cities successfully incorporating indigenous cultures into their ceremonies. A letter penned by the mayors of 17 Ladin towns, seeking inclusion, was met with silence.
Elsa Zardini, a prominent figure within the Ladin community, voiced their frustration clearly: “We are cut out, as if we don’t exist.” This sentiment reflects a broader anxiety over cultural visibility in a region where tourism has historically overshadow local traditions.
A Heritage at Risk
With their heritage dating back 2,000 years, the Ladins are not just a footnote in history; they are the custodians of a vibrant culture steeped in tradition. Their lore includes tales like that of Laurin, the dwarf king whose curse coloured the Dolomites with a rosy hue at dusk. But as the pressures of modernity mount, their language, a unique Romance dialect, faces the threat of extinction, classified as endangered by UNESCO, with only 35,000 speakers worldwide—about half residing in Cortina itself.
Unlike previous Olympic ceremonies, which celebrated indigenous traditions—such as the Sami in Lillehammer and Cathy Freeman’s iconic cauldron lighting in Sydney—the Milan Cortina opening ceremony on 6 February will focus on broader themes of Italian culture, ignoring the Ladins entirely. Marco Balich, the ceremony’s creative director, insists on showcasing “Italian beauty,” leaving little room for the local culture that is intrinsic to the region’s identity.
Taking Control of Their Narrative
In response to their marginalisation, the Ladin community is stepping up to reclaim their narrative. Zardini is spearheading efforts to distribute Ladin flags—symbolising the sky, snow, and meadows of their homeland—during the Games. “It isn’t so much a protest as a welcome,” she explains, aiming to inform visitors that the region is home to a distinct language and rich traditions.
Moreover, an umbrella organisation representing six Ladin communities is preparing mini-dictionaries of their language for Olympic attendees, translating terms like “Nief” for snow and “Juesc Olimpics da d’ivern” for Winter Games. The General Ladin Union of the Dolomites is also set to present a video detailing their rich history, from Roman times to their incorporation into Italy in 1919, which will be continuously screened outside Cortina’s Town Hall.
In Trentino, further initiatives are in the pipeline, including events that showcase Ladin music and literature, with hopes of attracting a wider audience and preserving their cultural storytelling for future generations.
Why it Matters
The sidelining of the Ladin community during the Winter Olympics serves as a stark reminder of the broader issues surrounding cultural representation at major global events. As tourism and modernity threaten to erase unique identities, the Ladins’ struggle to highlight their heritage underscores a critical need for inclusivity. By taking matters into their own hands, they not only preserve their culture but also challenge the narrative of what it means to be part of a modern nation-state, ensuring that the voices of minority communities are not drowned out amid the roar of international acclaim.
