In Scafati, in a packed Don Bosco Hall, on Saturday, September 28, history did not stop and continued to "pass the buck," just as it did when Antonietta Ferrara wrote her diary pages between 1942 and 1945. Day after day, the very young Antonietta—later known to all as the Ferrara Italian and Latin teacher—noted events, fears, feelings, doubts, and hopes in a small notebook that likely helped her exorcise the fear of the bombs and of death.
In the presence of Antonietta's children (Redenta, Carla and Gugliemo), her grandchildren, and those who knew her or would have liked to know her... in the presence of the many who attended even out of simple curiosity, on a special day for the city of Scafati Gold Medal for the Resistance, a real cultural event was held, moderated by the moved and punctual Pasquale Formisano. For the presentation of "Pane Bianco" the young student Matilde Cesarano appears on stage and starts the evening. Matilde with a bit of emotion reads the short incipit of the diary that explains the reason why Antonietta decided at fifteen, to make writing her most trusted traveling companion. The reading of some of the most intense stories of the diary was entrusted to Elena Fiorenza. A moving interpretation by Elena who, accompanied by the poetic violin of maestro Ilario Ruopolo, was able to update a writing that tells of events far away in time but that in the essence of those words written more than seventy years ago, live in everyone's daily life. The emotional audience paid different attention to the voice of Domenico Corrado. The theater director, who has distinguished himself over the years for having staged the entire Divine Comedy in places of historical and cultural interest, read some of the fascist proclamations but when the moment came for "Intrepid patriots of Scafati first in Italy took up arms against the Nazi-fascist oppressor cooperating with the victorious allied armies after the landing of Salerno. This bridge that with its collapse was supposed to delay the retreat of the enemy, hastened their escape saving the city from serious ruin. On the first anniversary gratefully moved to perpetual memory the people of Scafati pose”, a thunderous and long and heartfelt applause stops time in the Sala Don Bosco. The right amount of vivacity was given by the musical interventions of Rosanna Monsurrò accompanied on the piano by Gabriella Marolda: from “Signorinella pallida” to “Nostra Patria è il mondo intero”, fascinated by the powerful voice of the singer, many did not hesitate to hum while beating time.
A speech of depth and precise analysis of the text by the principal of the Caccioppoli High School Domenico D'Alessandro who outlined the profile of Antonietta Ferrara through the many questions she asked. "Even in Scafati there were many victims: Bernardo Casciello died with his student son, Ninuccia Menzione died, Sisina Cicalese died, Mrs. Cozzolino died, Professor Scelza with four children, Mimì Catalano, Filippo who sold fruit, so I could commemorate who knows how many more victims. And if so many people died here and the Germans were here for a short time, what will they do in northern Italy? Will they follow their leader's orders?"
An out-of-the-ordinary teenager dedicated to nourishing her own awareness with doubt. In her thoughts, black on white, Antonietta decided on those pages of her diary which side to be on. Perhaps that was the beginning, the moment in which without realizing it she chose to dedicate herself to others, with teaching at school certainly, but also with her unforgettable generosity.
“… The rubble is immense – wrote Antonietta – but with our spirit and our work we will be able to get the country back on its feet. At least this is what everyone hopes.”
EDITORIAL TEAM
Choose the social channel you want to subscribe to