Abstract:

This contribution presents "Spazio Matteotti 100," a digital environment realized in 2023 by the National Institute for Documentation, Innovation, and Educational Research (INDIRE) and curated by Pamela Giorgi and Azzurra Gasparo. Developed to commemorate the centenary of the death of Giacomo Matteotti (1924-2024), the project was supported by the Filippo Turati Foundation and funded by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers within the "Memory of Freedom" initiative. The ecosystem is specifically designed for primary and lower secondary students to transform the learning of 20th-century history from a passive reception of notions into an active engagement with the values of democracy, freedom, and pacifism.

The platform operates as a multidisciplinary digital collection, aggregating and "didacticizing" diverse source materials. The scientific validity of the project is ensured by the integration of prestigious sources from the Archive of the Workers' Movement (AAMOD), the Historical Archive of the Luce Institute, the Alinari Foundation for Photography, and the Rai Scuola portal. Additionally, the space features the 'Matteotti100' film selection, curated within the INDIRE 'Screens in the Classroom' environment, which further enriches the multimedia offering. Unlike a traditional static exhibition, the space is conceived as a "virtual laboratory" that encourages critical analysis and the direct exploration of sources.

A distinguishing feature of the project's methodology is its participatory approach to Public History. The platform not only disseminates content but also hosts student-generated output, specifically the podcast series "The Courage of Matteotti." These audio products were the result of a dedicated history laboratory conducted with the Comprehensive Institute of Civitella Torricella, where students actively scripted and recorded the episodes. This integration of "learning by doing" validates a model where students act as co-creators of historical narrative, fostering deep historical empathy and digital literacy.

The project demonstrates how digital transformation can revitalize heritage education. By making the figure of Matteotti accessible through multimedia storytelling and active participation, the platform effectively promotes active citizenship and helps new generations understand the relevance of past struggles for liberty in the contemporary world.

Keywords:

Digital Public History, Civic Education, Active Learning, Multimedia Archives, Giacomo Matteotti, Primary Education.