“I am a socialist and anti-communist, like my grandfather.” Elena Matteotti, 67 years old, is the granddaughter of Giacomo Matteotti. Yesterday, Liberation Day, at 11.45 she arrived with a colorful trolley at Rovigo station. Until a few years ago he knew little about her family history. She is from Rome, her accent doesn’t lie. She will stay for a few days, but she too will return to Polesine for the centenary of the assassination of the deputy and secretary of the Unity Socialist Party, which will be celebrated on 10 June. Matteotti was killed by fascists following the serious accusations that he fearlessly made against Benito Mussolini. He is a symbol of anti-fascism in the world but also a monument to courage. She knew, and anticipated it, that his attitude would cost him his life but she went ahead anyway. Her granddaughter slowly approached her family history.
Elena Matteotti what do you think of April 25th?
«I considered this festival anachronistic, I couldn’t experience it, but after delving into my grandfather’s exploits it was a rediscovery. Maybe for the first time, in the past it didn’t concern me, I didn’t like it.”
Is he left-wing?
«Yes, always, perhaps today I am even more convinced. I am a socialist and anti-communist, like my grandfather Giacomo, and I discovered why by reading the book Solo by Riccardo Nencini, dedicated to him.”
What significance does Matteotti have in society today?
«Follow his example».
What does the writer “censored” by Rai for the monologue on April 25th think of the “Scurati case”?
«I’m not surprised by censorship. But it’s too easy to just talk about this.”
How do you evaluate the increase in members of the Anpi sections?
«I don’t know but it fits. I hope there will be many of us.”
What do you think of Giorgia Meloni?
“No comment”.
Is this your first time coming to Polesine?
«For a few years now, my son has convinced me. It is a fascinating place with fog. It is a place of simple but very cultured people, with stories to tell. Here I feel the story that I have never experienced in Rome. The people represent it very well, I feel at home.”
What is it like being Matteotti’s niece?
«I was sort of suspended until a few years ago, I didn’t really know where I came from. My grandfather’s story was not told to me because my father was three years old when it happened. For me it would have been fundamental for someone to talk to me about my origins, I wasn’t sure what my identity was.”
Why didn’t his father tell it?
“Later they told us they wanted to protect us.”
In high school, studying history, did you wonder if he was related because of the last name?
«No, I discovered it when I was six years old, on April 25th in Rome. There were Saragat and Pertini, they introduced me to them, I called them both grandfather, perhaps only because they were elderly. I wasn’t aware. Maybe due to the fact that I didn’t have a grandfather present. But at that celebration I had the feeling that something had happened. I would become aware much later, when I started looking.”
What did you study?
«I studied at classical high school, then I enrolled at the University, Faculty of Letters and Philosophy, but I didn’t finish. I opted for a social worker diploma and did an internship in various hospitals.”
Did he work then?
«Yes, as a social worker. First in a clinic, then in the hospital but I wasn’t convinced, I wanted to continue university but the idea of not having a clear future scared me. I decided that work wasn’t for me and started a family. I led a simple life but it was a failure. I got married (she later separated, her ex-husband was an Italgas employee, ed.) and I had a son who gave me three grandchildren, two boys and a girl, one of whom is called Giacomo.”
To Giacomo did you tell something?
«All because he is very curious and will come here to Rovigo (tomorrow he will be at the opening of an exhibition with his grandmother, ed.). He was at the exhibition in Rome, he asked a lot of questions, he is happy to descend from his great-great-grandfather.”
