The Institute was born in 1965 and since 1968 is directed by a cooperative of local public organizations. It’s a study center specialized in contemporary history, which gives a complete and updated support to the research activity lead in the territory. At the head office there is the opportunity of making use of a library, an archive and scientific consultancy. It’s also possible to have look up a big collection of newspapers, magazines and multimedial files such as CDs and DVDs.
The access is free and managed by few rules of consultancy and loan. We organize meetings, conventions and seminars in order to promote historical knowledge. We also publish books and magazines. We usually have collaborations with Universities and analogue cultural associations all around Italy and Europe. In the sphere of methodology we offer a center for the formation of teachers and students, with updating lessons and training internships.
Preserving the XX century memory the values of peace and civil cohabitation are fundamental as inherited by the fight for Freedom and ratified by the ideal of the Republic and its Costituzione. The Institute is dedicated to Piero Fornara, international paediatrician, protagonist of the AntiFa movement in Novara and Prefetto della Liberazione after the defeat and the escape of nazi-fascist troops.
