A short text with stories, history, news and sarcasm born from some night chatting about disasters and World War Two
My homeland Modena must miss me. Since I moved to Salzburg things started to go pretty bad over there.
We all have to admit that scoring an earthquake (May 2012), two tornadoes (May 2013) and a massive flood (January 2014) in a row really is a huge achievement. (On this blog you can check where the several epicentres of the earthquake were, terremoto, where the tornadoes stroke, tromba d’aria; the flooded area in blue)
There could be many different thoughts I could share on my blog talking of this last disaster. But pouring out my wrath about politicians and administrations would mean simply picturing them in a bad bad bad light, and this is entirely too easy! I have standards too, I cannot lower them further than they are right now. Even though, in that case I would have to start digging, and digging canals and navigations could be useful in this time of flooding. But I am not an engineer, and besides I have a painful spinal disc herniation, so I’d better leave digging for another time.
Therefore, let us focus on another thing: Italian media are ignoring the tragedy .
Many friends of mine on Facebook started sharing a photo published by a NYT blog, called Lens. Comments pointed to the fact that Italian journalism ignored us, while the American press instead apparently took our situation more seriously. Actually, that was not a news but a blog dedicated to photography, therefore the
New York Times Blog “Lens” featuring the Modena flood
enthusiasm should be kept in perspective. Nevertheless one must admit that, although we did not impress the Italian press – outside Modena, of course -, this NYT blog did list “us” among the pictures of the day, as the no. 5 of the 20th January more precisely, among other pretty bad situations all around the world (clashes, bombings, other massive floods).
After sharing this myself, the friend and journalist Gabriele Testi “liked and shared” the “Facebook way” as well, and took the opportunity to check when had been the last time the NYT wrote about the “Secchia river”. It was 1945, and the Allied Armed Forces were marching along the Secchia in order to reach the Po river. Our Modenese sources and memories (including my parents’ ones) about the end of World War Two all mention the marching troops on the Canaletto, a road following for most of its course the river Secchia and leading to the Brenner. Gabriele’s discovery lead us to some night chatting: I was waiting for the pain meds to kick in and could not sleep, he is a journalist and is probably used to covering news and researching facts at night…
(little remark: Gabriele is a male name in Italian!)
The flooded territories are located between two rivers, the Secchia (the one that literally poured out when the levee in one of the north suburbs of Modena broke, and the Panaro. Their courses come closer shortly after the city of Modena, in its immediate northern outskirts (suburbs of San Matteo, Albareto and Navicello), and they flow this close until after Sorbara/San Prospero and Bomporto. The Secchia has flooded all the territories to the river Panaro, thus resulting in a terrible flood also in the before-mentioned town of Bomporto (where, by the way, I used to live prior to my migration to Salzburg). Bomporto is located on the river Panaro and has an old bridge crossing the Panaro itself, connecting Bomporto to Casoni di Ravarino. While chatting with Gabriele on my Facebook account about US troops and Modenese rivers I recalled my researches for the HistoricalDictionary of Modenese Antifascism, which included consulting a huge amount of orders of battle to understand more of some local biographies (partisans fighting here and there, old books reporting things I found a little suspicious or unlikely). Due to my focus, I only went to Berlin and Freiburg to research directly in the archives for German diaries. Nevertheless, I looked up a few second-hand things about the Allied troops as well. So, I stumbled upon the march of the 10th Mountain Division, marching on Bomporto, or better, occupying its bridge, which was considered strategic. These facts are stated, for instance, on this site and even on my not so beloved Wikipedia, where a footnote about the occupation of the Bomporto bridge on the river Panaro leads to “Young, Gordon Russell (1959), Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States, Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office”.
The real-life Trapp family, the one you probably know from The Sound of Music, escaped to the USA (not to Switzerland), had Italian citizenship and had two boys who were sent to serve in the 10th Mountain Division, Rupert and Werner. According to Maria’s and Agathe’s memories, they were indeed fighting in our territories: Agathe mentions Mount Belvedere, which is between Lizzano in Belvedere and Montese. Montese hosted a well-known battle, where the Brazilian Army fought bravely. Moreover, Montese lies in the upper part of the Panaro valley and drainage basin. I have absolutely no evidence that the two Trapp boys entered Bomporto on that April day in 1945 but somehow I can picture them descending with their division the paths leading through Marano, Vignola, Castelfranco, Nonantola to Bomporto. Who knows if they did? Well, I would know how to find out this, but unfortunately I have other projects scheduled as soon as my herniation gets better, so this particular inquiry will have to wait. (About the Trapp family, Maria A. Trapp, The story of the Trapp Family Singers, and Agathe von Trapp, Memories before and After The Sound of Music, as well as their official website).
What is the moral of this story?
Mr Sheffield: And the moral of the story is?
Fran: Everything has to have a moral? What am I, Mother Goose?
(Yet another quote from “The Nanny” on this blog, episode 2.17 “The Will”)
Well, my herniation tells me I am starting to morph into Mother Goose, so here are a few reasons I wrote this story:
– This is an interesting story following a sort of a stream of consciousness with punctuation, a flood of memories brought to us by three things: a flood, my unpaid occupation as an historian and some strong pain meds. No science, just some storytelling here for entertainment purposes, which is something many blogs do, and you will agree with me that this is quite pleasant, especially for curious people like me. I also know that tags such WWII, Bob Dylan, Trapp, Sound of Music, The Nanny will attract people! And this leads to the other reason:
– I would hope to draw some attention on this troubled land and raise some awareness about the situation: yes, it is my personal affection and concern since I was born and raised there, my family and friends are still there. But it is also a land which used to contribute alone to the 1% of the Italian GDP before the earthquake and which is slowly dying due to the stubbornness of the government and of the local administrations, neither granting any tax free time range nor investing in the local reconstruction. Instead, they focus on other “investments” I would not be proud of. But this is an issue I would not like to address. This land produces a lot of fine eno-gastronomic specialities, excellent biomedical technologies, beautiful cars, and moreover hosts exquisite architectural and artistic treasures. I assure that a visit to our Province would not disappoint you if things were a little more…normal, you know?
If it keep on rainin’ the levee gonna break
If it keep on rainin’ the levee gonna break
Everybody saying this is a day only the Lord could make
Work in progress!!!! 20.05 first quakes/Erste Beben; 29.05 new big quakes after a week of afterquakes/neue großen Beben nach einer Woche Nachbeben!!!!!!! Updates/Aktualisierungen http://gazzettadimodena.gelocal.it/ —-> terremoto. Help&Videos —>below/Hilfe&Videos—>unten
As many of you probably already know, an earthquake hit the Provinces of Modena and Ferrara and some Municipalities in Mantova, Bologna, Reggio Emilia, Rovigo. The Northern districts of Modena are hardly hit. Wie viele von euch wahrscheinlich schon wissen, wurden die Provinzen Modena und Ferrara und einige Gemeinden in Mantua, Bologna, Reggio Emilia, Rovigo von einem Erdbeben betroffen. Die nördlichen Bezirken in Modena sind stark betroffen.
When I travel home for a while, coming from Salzburg, I usually take the train. The German-Austrian EC München-Bologna crosses the Po river in Ostiglia and then enters my homeland in Mirandola, nevertheless travelling far away from the beautiful city of the Picos. Finally the train crosses San Felice sul Panaro. Wide, open, fertile fields and the warm and beautiful centre of San Felice with the church and the castle used to be my welcome home. Not anymore, I guess. Wenn ichein bisschen heim sein will, fahre ich mit dem Zug ab Salzburg. Der DB-ÖBB ECMünchen-Bologna überbruckt den Po-Fluss in Ostiglia und kommt dann in meine Heimat in Mirandola, obwohl er weit von der schönen Stadt der Pico fährt. Endlich durchfährt der Zug San Felice sul Panaro. Breite, offene, fruchtbare Felder und die warme und schöne Altstadt von San Felice mit der Kirche und dem Schloss waren in der Regel mein “Willkommen heim”. Nicht mehr, befürchte ich.
Thousands lost their home. Tausende haben ihr Daheim verloren. Migliaia hanno perso casa.
Industries, shops, farms are closed due to damages or even destructions and thus we are not able to work in order to pay for repairing or rebuilding using our own wages. Industrien, Geschäfte und Bauernhöfe sind aufgrund der Schaden oder sogar der Zerstörungen geschlossen und deswegen können wir nicht arbeiten, um das Geld zum renovieren oder wiederaufbauen zu verdienen.
A huge part of our cultural heritage is gone. Castles, towers, the church where the famous Humanist Pico della Mirandola’s parents were laid to rest are destroyed or damaged. Ein großer Teil unseres kulturellen Erbgutes ist verloren. Schlösser, Türme, die Kirche, in welcher die Eltern des berühmten Humanist Pico della Mirandola begraben wurde, sind zerstört oder beschädigt.(Update: Church/Kirche San Francesco destroyed/zerstört)http://www.linkiesta.it/chiesa-san-francesco-mirandola
1) Buy products from Modena and Ferrara, so that we can rise again! Produkte aus Modena und Ferrara kaufen, so dass wir wieder aufstehen können!
Parmigiano-Reggiano from the Province of Modena/aus der Provinz Modena (especially/besonders Mirandola, San Felice sul Panaro, Finale Emilia, Camposanto, Ravarino, San Possidonio, Cavezzo, Medolla) and from the Municipalities of/und aus der Gemeinden San Giovanni in Persiceto and Crevalcore. I should get in touch with some farmers who should deliver, so just comment here to show your interest. Ich sollte einige Bauern kontaktieren, die liefern können dürften, so einfach hier kommentieren, um in Kontakt zu treten. >>>This production is experiencing an EMERGENCY!!! Diese Produktion ist in NOT!!!<<< Photogallery damages/Schäden http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.437074152984163.103877.100000447450493&type=3
Grana Padano, prosciutto, salumi:try to check that they come from/bitte Herkunft möglichst kontrollieren: Mirandola, San Felice sul Panaro, Finale Emilia, Camposanto, Ravarino, San Possidonio, Cavezzo, Medolla (Prov. Modena), Crevalcore, San Giovanni in Persiceto (Prov. Bologna), Bondeno, Sant´Agostino (Ferrara).
Fruit, jam, sauces/Obst, Marmelade und Soßen
Aceto Balsamico di Modena
Biomedical equipment/devices and so on from/Medizintechnische Geräte aus Mirandola, Medolla, Concordia, Cavezzo, San Felice sul Panaro, San Possidonio, San Prospero, Carpi.
Books/Bücher
other products (see origin above)/andere Produkte (Herkunft oben ansehen)
Scientific information/Wissenschaftliche Information (The Po plain in the surroundings is now 15 cm higher and 3-4 Richter quakes continue every day! Die Po-Ebene in der Umgebung ist jetzt 15 cm höher und 3-4- Richter Beben gehen weiter!)
A nice blog whose concept says: ” In a time of crisis and problems we believe that Italy can manage her way out of troubles by using her human and natural resources, the beauty of her territory, the richness of her products”. Great idea! It features many proposals from the damaged territories: http://sosblogger.wordpress.com/
3) Contact me!/Mich kontaktieren!
We are going to organise several initiatives (i.e. in Salzburg and surroundings) you can help with or make a small donation for you can afford. I am a simple girl from the Modenese people, so you won´t have to fear that your efforts get wasted in political tricks. Our idea is: make industries and shops work again, so that we can rebuild houses and start rebuilding monuments with our own efforts, then funding reconstruction of monuments. We want them as they used to be, or even better. Wir werden verschiedene Initiativen organisieren (z.B. in Salzburg und Umgebung), in welchen ihr helfen könnt oder für welche eine kleine Spende möglich ist, die keine finanzielle Belastung wird. Ich bin ein einfaches Mädchen aus dem modenesischen Volk, also muss man nicht befürchten, dass eure Bemühungen in politischen Spielen weggeschmissen werden. Unsere Idee ist: machten wir Industrien und Geschäfte wieder produktions- oder arbeitsfähig, so dass wir die Wiedererrichtung der Häuser und teilweise der Monumente mit unseren Löhnen/Gehältern selber bezahlen können. Dann Wiedererrichtung der Monumente unterstützen. Wir wollen sie, wie sie früher waren, oder sogar besser!
I am able to work with several groups on location(I plan to travel home on the 19th June). Especially people living around Salzburg could comment here in order to get in touch with me/Ich kann mit verschiedenen Gruppen vom Ort aribeiten (Ich habe geplant, am 19. Juni heim zu fahren).Besonders Personen aus dem Raum Salzburg könnten hier kommentieren, um mit mir in Kontakt zu treten.
Some information about helping several autonomous camps in the city of Rovereto sulla Secchia
4)Offerte/Donations/Spenden A) – S) choose! auswählen; H)- O)= single municipalities/einzelne Gemeinden
(you may ask me for further information)/Sie können mich zusätzliche Informationen fragen):
a) Banca Unicredit, piazza Grande 40, Modena.
Beneficiario/account holder/Kontoinhaber: Amm.ne provinciale di Modena Interventi di solidarietà
IBAN IT 52 M 02008 12930 00000 3398693
BIC/Swift code UNCRITM147Y
Causale/Payment purpose/Verwendungszweck: Terremoto maggio 2012
c) Or another account from the/oder ein anderes Konto aus derPartito della Rifondazione Comunista ((for workers who cannot work/für Arbeiter, die nicht arbeiten können) Beneficiario/account holder/Kontoinhaber PARTITO DELLA RIFONDAZIONE COMUNISTA – COMITATO REGIONALE EMILIA-ROMAGNA
causale/payment purpose/Verwendungszweck “terremoto maggio 2012”.
i) Comune di San Felice sul Panaro (Beneficiario/account holder/Kontoinhaber)
IBAN: IT84X0503466980000000000100
SWIFT: BAPPIT22
Causale/payment purpose/Verwendungszweck “terremoto maggio 2012” (or a thought from you/oder einen Gedank von Ihnen)
l) Comune di Finale Emilia (Beneficiario/account holder/Kontoinhaber)
p) If you live in Germany, you may consider this opportunity. The city of Ostfildern has a partnership with Mirandola and therefore opened a dedicated account/Wenn Sie in Deutschland leben, können Sie vielleicht diese Möglichkeit wahrnehmen. Die Stadt Ostfildern hat eine Partnerschaft mit Mirandola und hat deswegen ein Konto eröffnet:
Please, ignore stupid comments or contents about pasta and insurances. The tragedy is that many people cannot work if their activities don´t sell these products, don´t have warehouses anymore etc…! /Bitte, dumme Kommentare oder Inhalte über Pasta und Versicherungen ignorieren. Die Tragödie ist, dass viele Personen nicht arbeiten können, wenn die Betriebe diese Produkte nicht verkaufen, kein Lager mehr haben usw…!
The nightmare/Der Albtraum
20.5.2012 5.9 Richter (2nd one features the horrible roar/der zweite enthält das fürchtbare Dröhnen)
20.5,2012 Aftershocks/Nachbeben
29.5.2012 5.8 Richter
29.5.2012 2 Aftershocks/ 2 Nachbeben
We will manage it alone with a smile…/Wir werden es allein mit einem Lächeln schaffen… (Alberto Mattioli) – MODENESI
Felicita Ratti's Blog 