"Holocaust Remembrance Day" was established by the Italian Parliament in 2000 to remember the victims of fascist and Nazi persecution of Jews, political opponents, ethnic and religious groups, and even homosexuals, declared unworthy of life by Hitler. Specifically, January 27, 1945, is the date on which the inmates of the Auschwitz extermination camp were liberated. Arcigay Politropia of Rovigo intends to pay attention to all deportees and, in particular, to keep alive the memory of homosexual deportees. Among the first to be interned in concentration camps, they were forced to wear a yellow armband with an "A" in the center ("Arschficker," meaning sodomite). A pink triangle was subsequently sewn onto the chest of homosexual men, while for the known interned homosexual women, a black triangle was applied, representing "asocials." Today, the pink triangle is adopted as a symbol of remembrance by the entire homosexual community.
This day is essential to remember the past, but beyond that, it must also serve as a stimulus to look at the present and what is happening in Italy and the rest of the world. To give just a few examples: it is shameful that Pope Benedict XVI blessed Ugandan parliamentarian Rebecca Kadaga, famous for her intention to punish homosexuality with the death penalty; that in Russia no propaganda in favor of homosexuals and their civil rights is allowed; and that Italy still lacks a law against homophobia.
This year, January 27th falls on a Sunday, but surprisingly, the Municipality, which in recent years has celebrated the date on the exact day, will this time hold the commemoration on Monday, January 28th. We believe that if it had chosen to celebrate Holocaust Remembrance Day on this Sunday, it would have encouraged greater citizen participation, being a public holiday.
For our part, to remember all the victims killed during the Nazi-Fascist period, this Sunday, the 27th, at 4:00 PM, a commemorative wreath depicting the famous pink triangle will be placed at the gates of the oldest Jewish cemetery in Rovigo—on Via Mure Soccorso—(near the Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso, known as "La Rotonda"). We invite everyone to join us for a minute of silence.
Nicola Pizzamiglio
President of Politropia Arcigay Rovigo
