European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
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In the morning we were given cod-liver oil: half a spoon to the girls, a full spoon to the boys.
In the morning we were given cod-liver oil: half a spoon to the girls, a full spoon to the boys.
Al mattino ci davano un cucchiaino di olio di merluzzo, ai maschi un cucchiaio intero e alle donne un mezzo cucchiaio. -
This wasn’t a problem at all, since the oil was nasty and rancid,
This wasn’t a problem at all, since the oil was nasty and rancid,
Questo non mi dispiaceva perché era sempre cattivo e rancido, quindi questo non mi dispiaceva affatto. -
but it was already a sign of the discrimination existing towards women.
but it was already a sign of the discrimination existing towards women.
Però questo era già la discriminazione che c’era tra un uomo e una donna. -
We didn’t take much math, but we spent a lot of time doing gymnastics, as we had to forge our physique.
We didn’t take much math, but we spent a lot of time doing gymnastics, as we had to forge our physique.
A scuola si faceva poca matematica ma molta ginnastica perché doveva forgiare il fisico. -
Since we didn’t have a gym, every day we spent two hours in the school courtyard doing physical education,
Since we didn’t have a gym, every day we spent two hours in the school courtyard doing physical education,
Quindi due ore si trascorrevano, non c’era una palestra ma nel cortile della scuola, anche di inverno quando c’era freddo, lì si faceva ginnastica -
even in the winter when it turned cold.
even in the winter when it turned cold.
che doveva poi culminare con una grossa manifestazione del saggio ginnico nella piazza del Comune. -
We were all excited for the gymnastics display we were working on.
We were all excited for the gymnastics display we were working on.
Quindi noi eravamo tutte prese per questo saggio perché era il momento che -
It would take place in the main square, in front of our parents and all the others.
It would take place in the main square, in front of our parents and all the others.
ci esibivamo proprio alla presenza dei nostri genitori e di tutto quanto. -
However, Mussolini wanted children to wear a uniform from our earliest childhood:
However, Mussolini wanted children to wear a uniform from our earliest childhood:
Però il duce voleva che fin dalla tenera età tutti avessero la divisa: -
the “Figli della Lupa”, the “Balilla”, the “Piccole Italiane”, the “Avant-gardists”.
the “Figli della Lupa”, the “Balilla”, the “Piccole Italiane”, the “Avant-gardists”.
figli della lupa, il balilla, le piccole italiane, gli avanguardisti. -
Mothers were enrolled in the “Massaie rurali” (rural housewives),
Mothers were enrolled in the “Massaie rurali” (rural housewives),
Le mamme erano iscritte alle massaie rurali -
and were given pamphlets for them to learn how to breed chickens and work the garden: the “war garden”.
and were given pamphlets for them to learn how to breed chickens and work the garden: the “war garden”.
e gli venivano distribuiti degli opuscoletti perché imparassero ad allevare i polli, a coltivare l’orto, l’orto di guerra lo chiamavano già. -
The whole family was
The whole family was
Quindi tutta la famiglia era -
organized.
organized.
inquadrata. -
The Duce had also decided that large families were to be awarded with a certificate.
The Duce had also decided that large families were to be awarded with a certificate.
Alla mamma, il duce aveva dato disposizione che a tutte le famiglie numerose venisse dato un diploma -
Even more so for our family since there were six boys and two girls.
Even more so for our family since there were six boys and two girls.
e particolarmente alla nostra perché c’era sei maschi e due femmine. -
This certificate had to be displayed at home, so that everybody could see
This certificate had to be displayed at home, so that everybody could see
Quindi questo diploma doveva essere esibito in casa sempre in bella vista perché tutti potessero vedere -
that Mussolini had acknowledged these families
that Mussolini had acknowledged these families
che il duce aveva riconosciuto queste famiglie, -
who had generated manpower for the nation to prepare for war.
who had generated manpower for the nation to prepare for war.
che avevano messo a disposizione della patria manodopera e anche per prepararsi alla guerra. -
When I was seven I suffered my first humiliation.
When I was seven I suffered my first humiliation.
La prima umiliazione che ho avuto, avevo sette anni,