Cimbric, a language of Bavarian origin, is still spoken in Luserna
The linguistic minority of Lusern (Luserna)is known for is renowned for its commitment to preserving Cimbric culture and language. In fact, its members speak Cimbrian, an ancient Bavarian dialect was established in this area due to colonists who settled these mountains in the Middle Ages. In the municipalities of the near Veneto instead, the Cimbric language has almost disappeared.
Thanks to its isolated position, in Lusern Cimbric is spoken by almost all of its 300 inhabitants and two thirds of them have the family name of "Nicolussi". About a century ago, the language was spoken also in the adjacent villages of Lavarone and Folgaria but unfortunately it disappeared during the fascist regime when Mussolini and Ettore Tolomei repressed and prohibited all Germanic cultures and languages within Italian territory. In those areas, family names and geographic names are the only examples of Cimbric culture to have survived to this day.
Other linguistic minorities can be found in the Valle dei Mocheni in the province of Trento, in Sappada in the province of Belluno and in Sauris and Timau (both in the province of Udine). With only 1,000 speakers, Cimbric is one of the least-spoken languages in the world, which is why it is studied on an international level and protected by provincial and regional laws, as well as the members of this community.
Luserna also features a documentation centre, a cultural institute, different music, culture and volunteer groups who preserve and promote the unique aspects of Cimbric language and culture also outside the province.
