0:00:00.125,0:15:50.743 People from Here 0:23:29.488,9:59:59.000 Welcome back to People from Here.[br]What we want to tell you today 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is the story of two young people,[br]of two young people with high hopes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There is Adelina,[br]a brilliant lawyer who works 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 at a prestigious legal firm in Milan.[br]Then there is Ettore, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 an industrial chemist.[br]The future can only smile 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 upon Adelina and Ettore.[br]Actually, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 their future will be more turbulent[br]thank they could have ever imagined. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In fact,[br]in 1938 Ettore and Adelina are Jewish. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 On September 18th,[br]from the balcony of Trieste's town hall, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Benito Mussolini announced[br]for the first time the Racial Laws 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for the defense of the race. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The world of those two young people[br]suddenly collapses under their feet. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We will tell this story[br]about Ettore and Adelina 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 on the eve of the day.[br]We will tell it with the son 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of Ettore and Adelina,[br]Daniele Finzi, who in 2011, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 decided to donate[br]his parents letters and documents 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to The Archives of Pieve Santo Stefano.[br]Shortly we will also discuss why 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 this choice was made.[br]Now I would like to start 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with September 1938,[br]with Mussolini's announcement 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the laws for the defense of the race.[br]Ettore and Adelina immediately started 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to understand that there wasn't[br]a future for them in that country. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 To leave their country was[br]a difficult decision, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but one that will save their lives. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes, my father Ettore Finzi was[br]very knowledgable about history. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Also because he knew German very well.[br]He had two aunts, aunt Genie 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and aunt Lazigudita Gentiluomo,[br]who both lived in Vienna. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He had followed all[br]the Nazi antisemitism up to March 1938. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So when the Race Manifesto was published[br]in July 1938, he didn't expect it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He knew what the contents were about[br]and he also hoped that Italy would be 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a little different from Germany. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And my father, more than my mother,[br]made quick and immediate decisions. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He was also very intuitive.[br]He had known my mom only a few months, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and he returns[br]to these months in April 1938. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was love at first sight[br]and because of the Race Manifesto 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and the Racial Laws,[br]they decided to get married. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They were married in Milan[br]on December 1, 1938. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In 1938. We arrive in 1939.[br]- Yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 An ominous date for many.[br]- Yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Very unjust, but there is a turning point.[br]- There is a turning point. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Ettore and Adelina decide to leave.[br]Or rather, how do they depart? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Because, in a sense,[br]they leave informed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes and no.[br]The problem is immediate 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and that of money. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Because the White Paper of the British,[br]a policy from maybe February 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or March of 1939, [br]allowed a total of 75,000 Jews 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to enter Palestine for five years. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 However, to qualify to enter,[br]every person needed to have 1,000 stars. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Because, like we said, they had chosen.[br]- To go to Palestine. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The goal was Palestine.[br]- Yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The choice was not a coincidence,[br]because my father had also thought 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about Latin America. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But the idea of going [br]to Palestine was because it was nearby. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He was from Trieste so it was close.[br]He also hoped his parents could join him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In any case, [br]the issue of money was really 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a huge problem[br]because they didn't have any. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, thanks to the lawyer Gianni Morandi,[br]who was the owner of the firm 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 where my mom worked,[br]they went to Zurich for their honeymoon. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then they went to Lugano[br]to gather clients for the lawyer. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was to put towards this large sum.[br]And I still remember two leather bags 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with thousands of little stars inside.[br]They were gold little stars. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 At this point, they reach Palestine.[br]The State of Israel still didn't exist. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There wasn't any money to protect them.[br]Therefore, they had to start from scratch. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes, and so, they started all over again[br]from January to April 1, 1939. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They arrived in Haifa on April 6, 1939. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes, because as of 1922,[br]the British controlled Palestine. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There were Palestinian Arabs.[br]The Jewish Palestinians were organized 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by the Yishuv, who were more concerned[br]with the kibbutz and wanted 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to dedicate themselves[br]to agriculture, etc. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But the political foundation[br]was led by the Arab agency. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The Arab agency was, well,[br]I'll give you an example. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Those who arrived in Tel Aviv[br]on April 7th were learning modern Hebrew 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in school twenty days after,[br]because there were various Jews 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in Tel Aviv from every part of Europe.[br]And so, it was necessary 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to learn this common language.[br]So, there was some organization, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but there were a lot of problems. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In any case, where I mentally find...[br]- Ah, yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 this small amount of protection.[br]However, they had to start... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes, they had to restart.[br]- from scratch. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 On the other hand, however,[br]there was a lot of bitterness 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that was left behind by the fact[br]of having to abandon... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes.[br]- Italy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Having to leave Italy was stressful.[br]- Yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In regard to this,[br]I will also read an excerpt 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from the letters[br]that have been donated to the archive, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 diaries in which Ettore specifically tells[br]about what he was feeling shortly after 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the time at which he abandoned Italy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We will read this excerpt:[br]"When I left Italy four months ago, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "feeling more disgusted by the burden[br]of having to leave the country 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "than for the imminent danger,[br]many of my colleagues 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "and friends were quick[br]to express to me their discontent 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "about what was happening.[br]Through their conversations, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "I felt they knew what sympathy meant,[br]and they only ended up making me withdraw. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "They were whispered conversations solely[br]because they knew me 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "and thought highly of me.[br]For many, being an example against 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "the persecution of Jews not being born[br]in Italy, could also be considered fair, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "because it is understood that they came[br]to the country to make a fortune 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "by going behind other's backs.[br]They had some expert political views. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "The Fascist government's right[br]to persecute people that it had let into 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "the country was generally recognized." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Okay, so Ettore felt betrayed by Italy? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Without a doubt.[br]As I was saying prior, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 also because my father was from Trieste.[br]From his father, my grandfather, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he had also received an irredentist[br]and nationalist upbringing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Trieste has always been divided[br]between people from Trieste 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and irredentists,[br]those who love Italy, Italian culture, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Italian language,[br]like my grandfather and the Slovenians. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He had received this upbringing,[br]and so he was an irredentist nationalist. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Additionally, he was a genius official,[br]and he felt like an Italian. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He loved Italy[br]and he felt betrayed by this terrible law. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In addition, in Ettore's letters,[br]in this text, it also highlights 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a responsibility[br]by the Italian people themselves 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for what is happening. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He writes:[br]"The political maturity 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "of the Italian people[br]is apparently that of government rule 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "that it has and that it deserves." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There is a precise responsibility[br]by the people. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, the Italian people's problem...[br](Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is living,[br]like saying living today like yesterday. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In other words,[br]the lack of personal responsibility 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and accepting anything,[br]a leader or a guide, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that which has[br]an uglier appearance, if you will. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And that Trieste,[br]not coincidentally Mussolini 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and September 18, 1938,[br]where they were 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 at the Unity of Italy Square[br]to present the Racial Laws. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Not only because of[br]the nationalism that was there, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but because Trieste was[br]a very multiethnic, multicultural city. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There were more than two centuries[br]in which ethnic groups were diverse. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They coexisted.[br]But at that very moment 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in which Mussolini was cruel towards Jews,[br]who, I repeat, were real Italians, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and felt as such, and had also fought[br]for Italy during the First World War. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 At the point, everyone was inclined[br]to accept Fascist rule. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We return to Ettore and Adelina,[br]who, because of their decisions, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 leave the Second World War behind,[br]in which the persecution of Jews 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and the holocaust is about to start.[br]They leave behind the errors of the war, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 however, like I said, they face a life[br]that is not easy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Like we said,[br]Adelina was a lawyer with a great career. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 She finds herself having[br]to start her work up again. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes, because the main difficulty was[br]a work shortage. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There was an excess of workers[br](Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from Tel Aviv.[br]And then, there were few jobs 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or they were completely insecure.[br]Another big problem was 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a housing shortage. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So much so that my parents were forced[br]to live with a family in an apartment 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with a Polish family.[br]The difficulty was then, above all, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the work shortage.[br]Also because the two bags 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the two thousand stars were not[br]to be touched at all. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My father was not flexible. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My mom then, as long as my father remained[br]in Tel Aviv until August 23, 1944, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when he went to work[br]at the British oil refinery... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 No, he was also with my mom[br]because they then had my sister first 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then I was born in 1942.[br]So when my father left, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he felt the obligation to work[br]to support the family. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He also liked the idea[br]of having money to freely spend. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 As mentioned, your mother was free...[br]- Yes, free. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in Palestine.[br]- Yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Your father, on the other hand,[br]had to move abroad to Persia 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because, meanwhile, he found work[br]with an oil company. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So two lovers who find themselves[br]far apart in a foreign land, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and the only point of contact[br]between these two people becomes 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the writing, the letters[br]that will then become so important 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for documentation, for their memories.[br]- Yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In fact, if my father accepts[br]this two year contract 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with this Iranian company,[br]from Abadan in Persia, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he would do his work[br]as an industrial chemist 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in this precise military zone.[br]Of course, he had to detach, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he had to leave his wife,[br]his children in Tel Aviv. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then, although very tired,[br]every evening my mom wrote 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and reported what had happened[br]during her workday, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because she had found work[br]with a company that was part 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the Tel Aviv pharmaceutical industry.[br]After then being fired, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 she went to work at a house to iron.[br]So, she could do anything. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And she reported with great ability,[br]descriptive, careful about everything 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that went on during the day.[br]Rather, my father sometimes wrote letters 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with extensive description.[br]He explained to her a bit about his duty, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 weather problems because it was very hot,[br]relationships with the British, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with the local population that was[br]in truly devastating conditions. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They were letters that,[br]among other things... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If you permit me a tangent.[br]They were things one absolutely knew 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but I didn't even know the letters existed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then perhaps we can also elaborate[br]on how they were found. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then also about how the decision[br]to publish them came about. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Let's go back.[br]We had said that while Ettore 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and Adelina were in Palestine,[br]their children were born. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes, my sister...[br]- You were born 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and your sister Ana was born. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It is fitting that the future[br]of these two children is often focused 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 on in these letters that Ettore[br]and Adelina exchange. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I would like to read another[br]particularly significant passage 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that is again written by Ettore[br]in Abadan in February 23, 1945: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "If on one hand, the war tends[br]to be nearing its end, on the other, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "for us, the situation in Palestine[br]is taking a favorable turn. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "These days, I am overthinking[br]and continuously thinking 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "about the problem and worried,[br]not so much about our personal future, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "but the future of our children.[br]I feel irresistibly taken towards 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "a solution that,[br]although never once explored, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "today seems inevitable to me.[br]Perhaps in a year's time we will find 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "the need to have to return to Italy.[br]Then they will become 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "one hundred percent Italians." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Probably if your father could have chosen,[br]he would have never wanted 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to return to Italy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes, I would not have wanted to also.[br]Rather no, because of having been betrayed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by Italy, my father deeply desired[br]to return to Italy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Apart from the experience in Abadan,[br]also because life in Palestine was truly 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 very hard, very difficult because of[br]the work problem, the problem 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the lack of apartments.[br]However, we can't forget 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that the attention[br]from the Palestinian Arabs and the British 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 made life particularly difficult. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If we could return back in time...[br]- Yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In September 1940, Tel Aviv was bombed[br]by Italian planes, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes.[br]- They bombed Tel Aviv and it seems 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 like there were one hundred[br]and fifty two deaths. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So life was very hard.[br]Another tangent. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In other words,[br]one of the big problems was also food. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 For example, myself sister and I went[br]to the gan, which was like kindergarten. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 To help you understand, at lunch they used[br]to give us half an egg to eat. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 On the other hand,[br]while facing this situation, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the hope of returning[br]to Italy continuously remained. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And how did Adelina live[br]with the hope of returning? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I will read another significant passage:[br]"I will never ask those taking that step. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Here I feel undoubtedly hesitant[br]by instinct and by force of tradition. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "And I won't ever ask myself,[br]not only out of obedience, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "but because more than anything else,[br]I am concerned 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "about doing everything possible[br]for the future of our children." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's like saying,[br]she was also willing to do her part. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There was a sense of pride[br]to return to Italy, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that country that had dismissed them,[br]in order to guarantee 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a future for you children. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then here there is a...[br](Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There are many letters.[br]In any case, when my father says 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that they will become[br]one hundred percent Italians, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he also proposes to my mom[br]the idea of converting to Catholicism, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because we were Jews.[br]- Of course. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Meanwhile, the Finzi from Trieste were[br]almost completely assimilated. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That is to say,[br]they went to the temple twice a year. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Instead, my mom was[br]from a much more orthodox family, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They came from the Parrdo,[br]a very important Iberian family. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Parrdo which used to be Prado.[br]They came from Spain after the expulsion. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So my father proposes this idea[br]of converting to Catholicism 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in order for his children...[br]- To become... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes, to become complete Italians,[br]even as a religion. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 However my mom... Here it says[br]that she was reluctant. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Not because she was personally orthodox.[br]But because, in that moment when 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it was known what was happening[br]in Europe, the extermination camps 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or also a difficult situation,[br]they absolutely didn't know 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 where my paternal[br]and maternal grandparents were. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then, however, the news arrived[br]even betraying the origin and... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was quite heavy.[br]- Yes, very heavy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 By the way, how did the news[br]about the war arrive meanwhile 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it continued in Europe?[br]Was there just an awareness 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of what was happening?[br]Was there an awareness 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the existence[br]of the extermination camps? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes.[br]- Above all, how did they live 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with these dual feelings?[br]Because, on the one hand, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 there was this hope[br]of being able to return one day 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to a normal life in Italy.[br]On the other hand, however, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 there was a lot of fear[br]also for the fate of loved ones. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They knew everything. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Both about the Jewish agency[br]and the British. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The news arrived quite detailed.[br]I don't want to forget a noteworthy group 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of young Jews that were part[br]of the Jewish brigade. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They fought alongside the British[br]and they also fought in Italy, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 then in all of Europe.[br]They were the ones who said 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that they gave very detailed news[br]of what was happening. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, they knew about everything[br]that was coming to Italy and Europe. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The concerns were precisely[br]about my paternal grandparents, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 those who later died in Auschwitz,[br]that they didn't... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The last official news was transmitted[br]by a type of telegram of the Red Cross 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in July of 1943.[br]Then my father knew absolutely nothing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My mom didn't know.[br]She knew that her parents were hidden. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Her brother was in Switzerland.[br]But they had absolutely no news. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They couldn't say or write anything[br]because the mail was altered. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Outgoing and incoming mail was altered.[br]I found that at least some details 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the letters had been deleted precisely[br]by the person that did the alterations. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, my father needed to be careful[br]because they were altered by the British. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They were altered by the Persians.[br]Then they were altered on arrival 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in Palestine.[br]So, they were... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In this situation,[br]they also found themselves in a state 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of uncertainty being far from Europe,[br]far from what was happening in Europe, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 far from the war. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 For a moment, Adelina perhaps had hoped[br]that her family would have an advantage 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 over the immense tragedy[br]that afflicted the Jews of Europe, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that they would all find themselves[br]reunited upon their return. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There was almost this illusion, this hope. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Hope is often the last idea.[br]Hence, there was hope. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They didn't have detailed news.[br]My father's brother was a doctor 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who lived in Bologna[br]in the mountains of Monghidoro. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He knew[br]that his parents had been arrested, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that they had been deported.[br]However, he had not communicated anything. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Even though hypothetically they went[br]to Auschwitz, there could have always been 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the hope of returning.[br]Therefore, they hoped. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Unfortunately, however,[br]the terrible news is that they arrived. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They arrived in Palestine while[br]the war by now... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was over.[br]- By now it was over. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And like you said,[br]the terrible news arrived by mail. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 News so terrible[br]that Adelina cannot even transcribe them 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in a letter to Ettore.[br]She writes: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "My dear, unfortunately,[br]the dreary news has arrived. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "I am sending you the letter[br]because I don't have the courage 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "to write to you[br]about it with my own pen." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's terrible.[br]Unfortunately, they were effects 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of what had just happened[br]in the war in Europe. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In a communication letter separate[br]from the international cross. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Maybe in that exact moment Ettore[br]and Adelina understood 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 what they had escaped from? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes without a doubt.[br]I will also tell you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that when my father had[br]the idea of going to Palestine, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 everyone criticized him;[br]friends, parents, brothers, the sister, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because they said[br]he was always pessimistic. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He would rather have wanted them all[br]to also come with him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 However, he expected it, also because[br]the war in Europe ended on May 8, 1945. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The news gets to him in August.[br]Given that months go by 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 where he doesn't receive positive news,[br]he feared for the lives of his parents. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Excuse me but if you permit me.[br]- Of course. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But before the communication[br]about the deaths of his parents, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he received communication from Sweden[br]that said his sister was saved. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then my aunt Yolanda Clara was part[br]of that group of prisoners 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that were moved[br]from Auschwitz in December 1944. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They were moved west[br]so as not to leave a mass 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of prisoners in Auschwitz,[br]because the Red Army was coming. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 She was then liberated[br]in the north of Ravensbrück in April 1945. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 She was then transferred[br]to Sweden to recover. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We have said that at this point,[br]the war had ended and Ettore and Adelina 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 along with their children decide[br]to return to Italy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 How difficult was it once again to start[br]from scratch because they actually had 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to start from scratch. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Ah yes.[br]It was difficult. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My father's brother,[br]who had worked in Sansepolcro, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 helped him get a job at his work.[br]He spoke with Mr. Marco Vittoni 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and he said he was quite willing[br]to hire his brother 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because he was a chemist.[br]Mr. Vittoni wanted a change of pace 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for his company.[br]But when we arrived in Italy in May 1946, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with a short stop in Bologna[br]and then to Parma at the home 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of my maternal grandparents,[br]and then to Sansepolcro precisely 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in November of 1946,[br]we had absolutely nothing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And there was nothing...[br](Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Without a doubt, a country in devastation.[br]- Yes, a country in devastation. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I remember the path with holes.[br]I remember the Tower of Berta Square 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in a pile of ruins.[br]- The Tower of Berta Square was destroyed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I repeat, it was also a problem to eat.[br]I remember my father rented 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a furnished apartment[br]in Saint Claire Square 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in which the conditions were...[br]- Insecure. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Very, very insecure.[br]However, they were young 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and they wanted to start over.[br]There was my sister and myself. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, they desired to put a painful time[br]of their lives behind them and start over. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You have previously already answered[br]that there was resentment towards 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that country that made them escape[br]and also towards those friends 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that...[br]- No. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 had put down the idea of the...[br]- No, absolutely not. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Other than it being something[br]that is part of our DNA. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Resentment is useless.[br]It's best to move forward, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to have the will to start again[br]and to overcome difficulties. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Not resentment.[br]I never heard my father 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 nor my mother speak ill of Italians.[br]Yes, it was upsetting to have lost. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 To having lost parents.[br]To having lost years of work. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My mom could not return to work[br]in Milan because there was no way 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to find a home. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In 2011, Ettore Finzi's[br]and Adelina's epistolary was donated 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to the Pieve diary archives.[br]It's awarded the Premio Pieve. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 First and foremost, how were you able[br]to find these letters again, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because they were made public[br]by the decision of donating them. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My father died on June 18, 2002. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He lived in an apartment in Parma.[br]In August I was ready to let go of it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 By chance, I found a bag in his office,[br]a leather one that holds documents. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There were letters inside[br]this document holder. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And there were two notebooks,[br]black ones with a red border 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that were used in the past,[br]and inside were his diaries. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I understood right away[br]because I have done historical research 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for many years, so I understood[br]it was something interesting. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I found it strange[br]that my father never told me anything, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because he didn't say to me[br]that there were letters and diaries. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And so I took them all to my house,[br]to my office and I left them there 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for a year, a year and a half.[br]Then I slowly began to read them 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with a bit of fear. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Because with diaries and letters...[br]- One will find... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 always find something intimate.[br]Then I think in my family, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 nothing would ever be talked about.[br]No one had ever commented, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 made references.[br]Then I gradually began 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to transcribe these letters.[br]I can't tell you how I did so, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because they were truly written...[br]- Strictly handwritten. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes, handwritten with a fountain pen,[br]on tissue paper, because back then 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it was airmail paper.[br]It was a type of job 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that strained the eyes.[br]In any case, I did this transcription job 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the diary, of the letters, etc.[br]I had the idea of publishing it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The full version of this diary,[br]of these letters... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I had already collaborated[br]with the Diary Archives 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for some time for my research.[br]In any case, just to be certain, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I went to Pieve Santo Stefano[br]and I had this volume in hand. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was Cristina Cangi, who you will know.[br]She asked me: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "What is it professor?"[br]- "It's this work that I did." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Why don't you submit if for the award." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I say I really had not thought[br]about wanting to publish it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I start reading some interesting things[br]and then I submit it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They asked me for the archive[br]and also for the letters, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but I wasn't going to do that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I remember that it's possible[br]to read this publication 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that is titled "Transparent",[br]in which the documentation 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is precisely presented[br]and published by Il Mulino. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Our arrangement time has ended,[br]although we would like to talk for hours 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about this story that is a bit,[br]by certain passages and elements, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 similar to the story[br]of many other families, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 also of the province of Arezzo.[br]Perhaps there will be a way 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to talk more about it in the future.[br]Thank you Daniele Finzi. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Thanks to all of you[br]who have followed our episode, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a special episode[br]that has been made possible 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in collaboration[br]with The Archives of Pieve Santo Stefano. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I naturally thank you as well.[br]In particular, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the archives[br]for this episode were made available 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by Nadia Frulli.[br]Thank you to all of you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for watching the program.