European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)

I have never served at Mass, although they had asked me, because I didn’t like to dress up.

But we used to go to Mass, at least on Sundays.

We had an elementary school up to the third grade, then we had to go to Busana for the fifth grade, by foot of course.

There was no water in the houses, only a small fountain in a chestnut grove everyone drew water from.

The school we attended was very crowded because there were many kids in the villages:

there were three classes together, and it was quite full.

Naturally, our school had no toilet facilities, no running water and no electricity.

There was a portrait of Mussolini, one of the king, and a crucifix.

Our teacher actually made the ink herself with some black powders in a flask.

I was always happy to go to school: actually, I longed for school.

My mother died when I was four and a half years old, my brother was almost six,

so I suffered from this loss, too.

I don’t know about other kids, but each has his own grief.

I sort of overcame this when my daughters were born,

but at times I still haven’t come through.

I still dream of this… Anyway.

Reached victories are never for ever

I’m eighty now. Actually, eighty-one, as you’ve already counted.

Regardless of all the battles I fought, before the Liberation as well as afterwards,

with my biggest battle starting after the war, if I’m still here it’s because I believe that victories are not everlasting.