The news of the fall of fascism reached the world on 25 July 1943 Cervi family while she was busy with her field work and other daily chores.
Fascism had fallen after twenty years of ruthless dictatorship but the Cervi knew well that the war was not really over and that there was still a lot to do to liberate Italy, but they decided to celebrate that day anyway: no one would have been able to deprive them of that moment of joy, peace and hope.
They procured flour, took butter and cheese on credit, and prepared kilos and kilos of pasta.
Pasta distributed in the square it was not only a moment of celebration that had to be enjoyed to the full, but also a symbolic way to reclaim the main place of city sociality that had been reduced for years to a space dedicated solely to the pompous celebrations of the fascist party and on-demand rallies.
The same carabinieri who showed up in the Campegine square to disperse the crowd, eventually joined in the celebrations and even a boy, wearing a black shirt (perhaps it was the last one left), was invited to join the others and eat his plate of pasta.
Today, even more than in the past editions that ANPI organizes every year throughout Italythe Anti-Fascist Pasta Festival does not only intend to remember and relive the popular festival organized on July 25, 1943 by the Cervi family, but also to create an opportunity for all citizens, associations, unions, parties and political movements to meet who recognize themselves in the values of anti-fascism and the Italian Constitution and who oppose any attempt to undermine the foundations of the republican system.
Promoters of the 5th edition of the Anti-Fascist Pasta, which will be held Thursday, July 25, 2024 in Pescheria square in Barletta starting at 8:00 pm, are the ANPI BAT, the Barletta popular clinic and the Winebar bistrot “A suon di vino” of Barletta.
Organizations that intend to join the initiative as co-organizers are invited to send an email to [email protected] (attaching the logo of their organization which will be included in the final communication materials) or to contact 3923698028 (Roberto Tarantino) by Friday 5 July 2024.
Antonello Rustico, ANPI BAT President “Anna Mascherini and Francesco Gammarota”
