Society / Memoria al Futuro - Remembrance Day In NYC
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Learning from Our Mistakes
(January 26, 2009)
Primo Levi
Interview with Stefano Albertini, Director of Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò at New York University: "Every day I read on newspapers of episodes of discrimination and violence against members of ethnic minorities. What did we actually learn from the past?"
What is Remembrance Day for you?
It is an occasion to reflect on the past as well as on the present. They say that history always teaches and helps us avoid the mistakes we made in the past. Sometimes it is not true. Every day I read on Italian (and some times American) newspapers of episodes of discrimination and violence against immigrants and members of ethnic minorities. They are constantly humiliated, they feel frustrated and unwelcomed. What did we actually learn from the past?
How do you contribute to the cause of these persecuted and unaccepted ethnic minorities? Is there a project, a commitment the Casa Italiana carries out outside of Remembrance Day?
This year, in honor of Remembrance Day, we will offer a screening of the movie “Lo stato d’eccezione” by Germano Maccioni. It is only the first of a series that will be presented throughout the year. Our aim is to denounce the different forms of persecutions, both physical and psychological, experienced by the weakest members of our contemporary society, the “different”, as they are often termed. This initiative is promoted by our PhDs and fellows: they are the professors of the future, those who will transmit our message of peace and solidarity to upcoming generations, paying just homage to the victims of the past. We believe that the spread of culture is the only possible form of prevention.
Why did you choose to start the program in conjunction with the commemoration of Remembrance Day?
Because we want this day to be an occasion to reflect on how important memory is for our present and future. The documentary is about a trial that took place last year and that aimed to identify the persons responsible for the massacre of Monte Sole, a tragedy dating back more than 40 years. No matter how many years separate us from those facts, they are still part of our history. We must have the courage to face them and honor, in whichever way possible, those who sacrificed their life for the freedom of Italy. We must do it not for revenge, but in the name of justice.
What is it that differentiates this event from the others organized by the Casa?
It is the fact that it originates from an extraordinary synergy among all the Italian Institutions present in New York. This spirit of collaboration allows all of us to offer a different and at the same time complementary contribution to the commemoration of this day. We organize the program in advance, making sure that our events concur in facing the issue, even if with disparate points of view.
On January 28 (6:00 pm), Casa Italiana will commemorate Remembrance Day with the screening of the movie “Lo stato di eccezione” by Germano Maccioni, followed by a debate. (For more info click here)
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