Resistance and Diverse War Experiences in Italy
Day 1
We met our fellow participants and the LRE team at the EcoMuseo office, where our host Stefania introduced us to Rome during the Second World War. On our way to the Historical Museum of Liberation on Via Tasso, we passed the Porta Maggiore, where a Vector of Memory is displayed. Inside the museum, we learned about the bravery of partisans while standing in the original prison cells where they were held. One unusual object caught our attention: watch the video we created and uncover the story of a bread roll.
Content from the Participants
Day 2
At the Ardeatine Caves Memorial, we honoured the memory of 335 civilians killed during the massacre. We had the unique opportunity to listen to the testimony of Irma Prosperi whose father and three uncles were murdered when she was just three years old. This deeply emotional meeting made us reflect on the civilian cost of war. Later that day, a guided tour took us through the former Jewish Ghetto and Palazzo Venezia, the headquarters of the Fascist government, where we learned about Rome’s fate during the war.
Content from the Participants
Day 3
On the third day, we left Rome and joined the mountains in the Emilia Romagna region, where the fresh air and quiet surrounded us. Our first stop was the German Cemetery of Futa Pass, the resting place of over 30,000 German soldiers. Standing among the graves made us reflect on the human cost of war, reconciliation, and peace. These reflections inspired us to create a video about the largest German cemetery in Italy.
In the afternoon, we arrived at Rifugio Re-Esistente in Marzabotto, where we were warmly welcomed. The local community and beautiful nature made our stay there truly special.
Content from the Participants
Day 4
Together with our guide, Stefano Merzi from Scuola di Pace, we walked through the Monte Sole Historical Park, the site of one of the largest civilian massacres of the war. Being there made us think about our own limits and responsibilities, and the broader mechanisms that allow violence and oppression to persist. Stefano conducted a workshop, which gave us a moment to recognize how these patterns can repeat from the past to the present time.
Content from the Participants
Day 5
Our last day was truly special. We were honoured to take part in the installation of a Vector of Memory, marking the end of our journey through history. After sharing a collective reflection on the past days, we travelled toward Bologna, where our exchange came to an end.
