BUSTO ARSIZIO – Last year it was remote controversy, this year on April 25th it is celebrated in a single square and keeps divisions away. «To Busto we can forget the ignoble controversies of these days, thanks to the partisan associations” the words of mayor Emanuele Antonelliin a square – the one in front of the Civic Temple – where “Bella ciao” is sung and anti-fascist flags and banners are waving. «For once let’s try to silence the controversy, focusing on those who sacrificed themselves – Antonelli’s appeal – it would be the best way not to tarnish the memory of these people. They gave their lives for us and we make fun of them.”
Without divisions
On the same stage the mayor of Fratelli d’Italia, Emanuele Antonelli, who talks about a “non-current conflict” referring to the one between fascism and anti-fascism, and the history professor, Antonio Maria Orecchia, which nails fascism to its historical responsibilities without discounts. In the same square the administrators of all political colors and the representatives of the anti-fascist galaxy who they sing “Bella ciao” and shout “Long live Anti-Fascist Italy”. All together and all without any polemical hints. On April 25th in Busto Arsizio it will once again become a party for everyone and for everyone.
The mayor’s speech
Yet the mayor doesn’t just use ritual words, revealing the “dream” of a Liberation Day of memory and without hatred. «I never thought I would be tirednot about what April 25th means, but about what I hear in the media a month before and a month after – Antonelli’s words – I am worried that consider that in the province of Varese we are surrounded by fascists of the worst kind or that we only talk about those who are fascist and anti-fascist.” The mayor also stigmatizes «the return of anti-Semitism and a climate of revenge and violence that we thought was outdated.” The appeal for peace also unites him with the president of the ANPI. «Tragedies are all the same» claims Mayor Antonelli, citing Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine. AND the president of Anpi Liberto Losa echoes him: «We need a ceasefire, with an agreement between the parties, for a just peace. Which is not impossible.”
All colors in the square
Moreover, the program of official celebrations also this year sees the shared signature of the municipal administration and the red and blue partisan associations, the Anpi “Giovanni Castiglioni” and the “Alfredo di Dio” Group. In the front row there is a bipartisan representation, with the mayor Antonelli (Brothers of Italy), the president of the city council Laura Rogora (Forza Italia), the vice-president of the Province of Varese Valentina Verga (PD), the deputy mayor Manuela Maffioli (Lega), as well as several councilors and councilors of various political and civic colours. With the ANPI there is also Adelio Borlandelli, 95 years old, partisan bustese, while the mayor calls for applause when he remembers the deported Vincenzo Aquilina, who passed away a few months ago at the age of 99. “We miss”.
The ceremony
The key moment takes place in via Fratelli d’Italia, in front of the Town Hall and the Civic Temple: after the Mass celebrated by Monsignor Severino Pagani and the procession towards the War Memorial in Piazza Trento and Trieste, the large snake returns for the homage to the Monument to the Resistance and Deportation (under the headquarters of the Revenue Agency). We are also here to welcome the institutional procession the banners of the Antifascist Committee and the Altomilanese Antifascist Networkwith a sign for “Ilaria Salis free“. And after the laying of the crowns, the moment of the speeches arrives, with the mayor Antonelli followed by the president of Anpi Liberto Losa and the official speaker, Professor Antonio Maria Orecchia of the University of Insubria.
Peace and responsibility
Liberto Losa recalls the recent ones commemorations, in Busto, of Don Minzoni and Matteotti, «victims of fascist violence and inspiring symbols of anti-fascism». And he focuses on the present, on the wars that «regardless of responsibility of the attackers and the reasons of the attacked, which remain intact, represent a defeat for all humanity.” The professor. Orecchia recalls that «these days they should belong to all Italians without distinctions”, but speaks bluntly of an “impossible shared memory” and clarifies that “pacification does not mean being able to equate the two parties in conflict. It wasn’t the same thing to fight and die for one cause and another.”
The other April 25th
At the end of the ceremony, the inevitable arises “Bella ciao”, which had already been sung in Piazza Trento e Trieste by the Borsano band (which accompanied the procession). And this year the celebrations have a “queue” directly in via Fratelli d’Italia, with the now traditional anti-fascist rally, which for the first time since 2018 no longer takes place in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele (which was supposed to host the markets, which were then canceled at the last minute). Songs and words to break the chains, like those of Ilaria Salis, and reiterate that another April 25th is possible also in Busto. Even if there are fewer and fewer of them participating.
