Italy's Ladins take visibility into their own hands facing minimal exposure in Olympic celebrations

"Italy's Ladin minority settled a millennium ago in the Dolomite mountain hamlet of Anpezo now the two-time Olympic host city of Cortina d'Ampezzo. But members of this ancient ethnolinguistic group are disappointed that the Winter Games will not spotlight their culture. Instead, Ladins will wave their flag themselves, both figuratively and literally, with a series of initiatives sharing their identity with visitors and not just in Cortina, but across all of Ladinia, the Ladin-speaking region that spans five Dolomite valleys."

"Ladin leaders expected Milan Cortina Olympics organizers would reach out to feature their language and traditions that exist only in Italy, just as organizers have done in previous host cities, from Lillehammer to Beijing. When they didn't, mayors of all 17 Ladin towns sent a letter soliciting that representation, but received no reply. We are cut out, as if we don't exist, said Elsa Zardini, head of the Ladin community in Cortina."

"Half of Cortina's population is Ladin Wood carvers and stewards of the forest, Ladins have lived in the Dolomites for 2,000 years. Their legends include the story of Laurin, king of the dwarfs, whose curse is said to have bestowed the region's dramatic pale limestone peaks with their pinkish sunset glow. For religious ceremonies, they wear traditional costumes including colorful dresses and headpieces for women."

The Ladin minority is an ancient ethnolinguistic group centered in the Dolomites, with historic roots in the hamlet of Anpezo and a strong presence in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Ladin leaders sought official inclusion in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics but received no response after mayors of 17 Ladin towns petitioned organizers. The U.N. lists Ladin as endangered with about 35,000 speakers, roughly 2,500 living in Cortina. Ladin cultural life includes wood carving, forest stewardship, religious costumes, and legends such as Laurin the dwarf king. Ladin communities plan their own initiatives across Ladinia to share language and identity with visitors.

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