In the CRA 'Duemiglia' in Piacenza, on 25 April 2023, the facility organised a project based on reminiscence to commemorate the event.
The elderly guests made a themed poster, decorated with a tricolour flag, but which contains not only drawings and depictions, but also the history and memories of those who clearly remember that 25 April. A sort of window, in short, on the past and the precious memories that our elderly have and which are a treasure for future generations.
Among the stories transcribed on the billboard is that of the Ms Anna, who recounts: 'I was about 21 years old and I was in Milan, where I was studying singing and living with some friends. At that time I travelled by bicycle and I often commuted between Milan and Borgonovo, my village, where my parents still lived, via San Colombano. We would leave before sunrise to avoid being bombarded by planes that would machine-gun anyone they saw below from above. During that 25 April I remember that along the way there was a different atmosphere from the usual days; there was ferment, there was joy, there were even people in the streets - a rare event at that time. People were dancing everywhere, Milan was a unique ballroom. Once I got home I found out that my brother Carletto was still missing: we had had no news of him for some time and it was only weeks later that he came home and explained to us that he was stuck on the other side of the 'Via Gotica'. I still remember the moment he came into the house: he as handsome and elegant as a prince, us hungry and dressed in rags! I remember 25 April and the days that followed as a continuous feast, an irrepressible joy and a priceless sense of freedom'.
"25 April Day is an important moment," says Emilia Tramelli, facility director - "It was a day we wanted to honour, as we care for elderly people every day, some of whom still have very vivid memories of those years. The project was very successful: the guests were involved, participating and many of them even moved".
"As we know," continues the director, "one of the favourite activities of the elderly is to tell the story of the past: that's why every occasion is a good one to organise projects aimed at reviving the memory of those who were already born in those years and making the younger generations aware of an important part of our history. In recent weeks, for example, the project 'Grandpa, tell me a fairy tale'. on the occasion of 'World Book and Copyright Day', Sunday 23 April. Together with the guests, we chose, commented on and summarised ten fairy tales, some of them more classic and well-known, and we made some little books that we will leave available for the relatives in the common rooms and in the garden so that they can use them as a means of conversation".