THE EVENT
The spotlight is back on the dramatic months of the passage of the Second World War front in the Cisterna area. The occasion is the presentation of a book, “Cisterna 1944. The martyrdom, the rebirth, the memory” written by Pier Giacomo Sottoriva, Mauro Nasi and Stefano Solferini, with contributions from Antonio Parisella, Quirino Mancini, Paolina Rinaldi. The appointment it is today, at 11, in the courtyard of Palazzo Caetani in Cisterna.
«On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the liberation from Nazi-fascist occupation (25 May 1944), the book – explain the authors – aims not only to reconstruct the war events that affected the local community but also to increase knowledge and reflection on the role played by this city so tormented, perhaps the only one for so long, theater of clash between two enemy superpowers. Among the possible answers is certainly its strategic position for the liberation of Rome and for the Allied advance towards liberation: a history of a country which is also a piece of the great history of Italy”.
The book is also «a tribute to the sacrifice and tenacious resilience of an entire community that endured unspeakable suffering and mourning to then rise again» say the authors, because it should not be forgotten «that the victims in the field were human beings, very often young, who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.”
The volume offers living testimonies, including that of one of the authors, Pier Giacomo Sottoriva, journalist and historian, who witnessed the stay in the caves and then the exodus, or of the ranger Pasquale D’Amato captured right in Cisterna during the famous tragic infiltration attempt at the end of January 1944. «The objective – explains Nasi – is that these facts remain imprinted in the city so that they can always keep alive the memory and the attention on the drama of the war and the value of peace and freedom».
The book is published by the Municipality of Cisterna di Latina as part of the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the war events. Today the mayor Valentino Mantini and the councilor for culture Maria Innamorato will speak. You moderate Professor Antonio Parisella. Throughout the day it will be possible to visit the documentary exhibition of the Third US Army Infantry Division (the one that liberated Cisterna) curated by the Third US Army Infantry Division association, Section nr.16 – Italy. Between 5pm and 7pm it will also be possible to take guided tours (departures every 20 minutes) in the Caetani Caves with living paintings of the refugees by the students of the Massimiliano Ramadù High School Campus.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
