European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
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Growing up during Fascism
Growing up during Fascism
Infanzia e gioventú nel Fascismo -
The fascist regime didn’t even spare us children.
The fascist regime didn’t even spare us children.
Questo dominio fascista non risparmiava nemmeno noi bambini. -
Our school organized a contest for the best drawing.
Our school organized a contest for the best drawing.
Ecco la scuola fa un concorso: il più bel disegno. -
I was good, I was really good at drawing.
I was good, I was really good at drawing.
Io sono brava, in disegno ero veramente brava. -
And look at the irony of fate: I drew a very nice sheaf with a beautiful laurel wreath.
And look at the irony of fate: I drew a very nice sheaf with a beautiful laurel wreath.
E poi guarda ironia della sorte, avevo fatto un bel fascio con una bella corona di alloro attorno. -
To paint it, I mean, to color it with crayons if you don't have the hand for it... I mean, if you're not careful, it won't turn out well...
To paint it, I mean, to color it with crayons if you don't have the hand for it... I mean, if you're not careful, it won't turn out well...
Dipingerlo, cioè colorarlo con i pastelli se non hai la mano abbastanza... cioè se non stai attenta non viene un bel lavoro; -
but actually it turned out to be very beautiful
but actually it turned out to be very beautiful
invece la cosa era diventata veramente bella -
and it was selected as the best drawing of our elementary school in Castelnovo di Sotto.
and it was selected as the best drawing of our elementary school in Castelnovo di Sotto.
per cui fu valutato il più bel disegno delle scuole elementari di Castelnovo di Sotto; -
We were called to the Ausoni theatre for the award ceremony.
We were called to the Ausoni theatre for the award ceremony.
ci chiamano al teatro Ausoni, allora c’era per il premio... -
The podestà was supposed to come hand out the prizes.
The podestà was supposed to come hand out the prizes.
il podestà avrebbe dovuto venire a premiarci; -
They were present, since the entire fascist heirarchy was present at every event, giving out awards to the children...
They were present, since the entire fascist heirarchy was present at every event, giving out awards to the children...
c’era presente, perché in tutte le iniziative era sempre presente tutta la gerarchia dei fascisti, premiano i bambini... -
i was the last one to be called since I had earned the top award in the entire school.
i was the last one to be called since I had earned the top award in the entire school.
io sono l’ultima perché ho il primo premio di tutte le scuole. -
They called me, I went up the stairs and was up on the stage...
They called me, I went up the stairs and was up on the stage...
Mi chiamano, io vado su per la scala, arrivo sul palco... -
and there stood Doctor Ganassi. This I should state because he was a family friend and I, even all of us, would bring him milk from a cow that I'd practically raised,
and there stood Doctor Ganassi. This I should state because he was a family friend and I, even all of us, would bring him milk from a cow that I'd practically raised,
il dottore Ganassi, questo lo devo dire perché era un amico di famiglia, e io tutte le sere gli portavo il latte di una mucca che praticamente avevo allevato, anche tutti noi, -
since he had a young son but couldn't manage to raise him... all of his children died as infants and so we would bring him this milk.
since he had a young son but couldn't manage to raise him... all of his children died as infants and so we would bring him this milk.
perché lui aveva un bambino ma non riusciva, gli morivano tutti piccolissimi i bambini, e noi gli portavamo questo latte... -
And he said: “Oh, you don’t belong to the Piccole Italiane?” I answered: “No, my father didn’t sign me up”.
And he said: “Oh, you don’t belong to the Piccole Italiane?” I answered: “No, my father didn’t sign me up”.
e lui dice: “Ah, ma te non hai la tessera delle piccole italiane”. Dico: “No, papà non me l’ha presa”. -
"Well, then we won't give your your award" and he sent me back.
"Well, then we won't give your your award" and he sent me back.
“Ah beh allora il premio non te lo diamo”. E mi manda indietro. -
A ten, eleven year-old girl... how can you explain to her that...
A ten, eleven year-old girl... how can you explain to her that...
Una bambina di 10-11 anni, come fa a spiegarsi che vale... -
how can she understand that there is more worth to a membership card than her ability to work, to study, to be good, etcetera?
how can she understand that there is more worth to a membership card than her ability to work, to study, to be good, etcetera?
come fa a capire che vale più una tessera che la sua capacità di operare, di studiare, di essere brava, ecc. -
I went home crying. My mother was feeding the pigs. Poor thing.. she found herself...
I went home crying. My mother was feeding the pigs. Poor thing.. she found herself...
Io sono andata a casa piangendo, mia madre stava dando da mangiare ai maiali, poveretta, si è trovata...