The dissertation analyses which political actors in Italy, how and with what purpose pursue politics by using the historical topic of exiles (esuli) and discusses that, by using such politics, they strive to legitimize their own political positions and, eventually, domineer the collective memory of the nation. The position of the state politics of the Italian Republic, of certain political parties (particularly right-wing parties) and of the associations of esuli is analysed. In the framework of the cultural approach, the dissertation takes as it starting point the premise that, in the last twenty years, the Italian Republic, with respect to the post-WW II fate of the eastern Adriatic coast, by using the political myths of esuli, exodus, foibe (caves) – both as part of the politics of identity and as a policy – has been reaffirming the politics of history that is convergent with the one of the immediate post-war period. As of the beginning of the 1990s, through the new politics of history, esuli have become an important determinant of the foreign policy of Italy which, in its relations with Croatia, does not regard this issue as a financial matter (compensation) only, but also as an open ethical and political question in the interstate relations.