The Association of Italian Fiumani in the World – Free Municipality of Fiume in Exile, based in Padua, was founded in 1966, the year in which a memorable gathering took place in Venice, attended by thousands of people from all over Italy and the world. These individuals had settled in various places following their exodus from their hometown on the Quarnero.

That same year, the first leaders (Ruggero Gherbaz, Carlo Cattalini, Carlo Cosulich, Ferruccio Derencin, Arturo De Maineri, Giuseppe Bilà, Lucio Susmel, and others) immediately launched the publication of the newspaper "La Voce di Fiume". This periodical became a vital means of maintaining strong ties across distances. Through its pages, the Free Municipality of Fiume in Exile became the main point of reference for over 38,000 Fiumani exiles spread across Italy and the world.

Over the years, distinguished figures have led the association, continuously highlighting and raising public awareness of Fiume’s unique history—for centuries an autonomous corpus separatum within the Austro-Hungarian Empire—and its rich cultural heritage, undoubtedly Italian in essence yet open to Central European languages and traditions. The city’s historical experience is profoundly different from that of other communities affected by the exodus and can rightfully be considered a unique case.

In 1991, the celebrations in honour of Saint Vitus (patron saint of Fiume, together with Saints Modestus and Crescentia) helped foster stronger relations with municipal authorities and the Italian community in Fiume. These connections have continued to evolve, strengthen, and grow in importance. The association's newspaper documents and follows these developments closely.

The association is currently represented by Franco Papetti, supported by the Presidency Office, which includes:

• Andor Brakus, Turin – Vice President (Economy & Finance)
• Melita Sciucca, Fiume – (Joint AFIM-CI projects in Fiume)
• Rita Mohoraz, Genoa – (Education)
• Diego Zandel, Rome – (Culture)
• Egone Ratzenberger, Rome – (Institutional Relations)
• Augusto Rippa Marincovich, Milan – (Event Organisation)
• Claudia Rabar, Ferrara – (Social Policies)

Deputy Members:

• Elga Mohoraz, Genoa
• Giuseppe Budicin, Venice

Additional Roles:

Rosanna Turcinovich Giuricin – Editor of La Voce di Fiume

Adriano Scabardi, Padua – Secretariat