Films and video games permeate the daily lives of young people: fantasy creates settings and characters that do not actually exist, yet they imprint themselves on the collective imagination—much like historical novels did in the past. All of this—exacerbated by the economic interests of production companies and the relentless pace of technological applications—diverts attention from true, documented History. It is the very History that gave rise to Western civilization and other civilizations that shaped the civilized world we all inhabit. To safeguard this human heritage, we must reconnect younger generations—starting during their school years—with reality and with the genuine achievements of culture and art. Fostering the spread of knowledge, enabling young people to view their future with a greater awareness of the value of our shared european cultural heritage, and facilitating an informed engagement with "the other" have become primary objectives. For this task—aimed above all at young people, their teachers, and, even before them, their families—it is important to introduce the foundational eras of our Europe, particularly the longobard era. The goal is for young people, through the acquisition and sharing of a genuine historical-cultural legacy, to identify the solid elements that allow them to see themselves as true "citizens of Europe."
Let us begin with the young. They are the primary recipients of a fundamental message from antiquity: the past is humanity’s memory, the fruit of a collective experience handed down to future generations so that they may recognize its essential values—values won at a high price. These are values that continue to give meaning and direction to our civilization today. And the "journey" is truly the most effective tool for fostering knowledge, sharing, and even a conscious engagement with "the other." Ultimately, it helps shape our personalities and allows us to understand what it means, today, to be true "citizens of Europe."
We hope you enjoy this journey into the historical world of the Longobards and your exploration of this site, which aims to spread knowledge about this people while encouraging visitors to ask questions, clarify any doubts, and visit the destinations featured in the "Longobard Ways across Europe" Route. So, let us begin the introductions: who were the Longobards? What role did they play in history? What were their distinctive characteristics and achievements? What forms did their artistic expression take?