Dive into the world of “I sommersi”, the new exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the 16 October 1943 roundup
If you’re a history buff looking to delve into the rich past of Rome, then you must visit “I sommersi. Roma 16 ottobre 1943”, the thought-provoking exhibition currently on display at the esteemed Capitoline Museums. This exhibit delves deep into the painful history of the expulsion of Jewish people by the Nazis in 1943. But the story doesn’t just focus on that year alone – “I sommersi” also sheds light on the broader history of the Jewish community in Rome, Jewish Italians, and the tumultuous era of fascist Italy.
What does “I sommersi” mean?
“I sommersi” translates to “the drowned,” but in the context of this exhibit, it symbolizes the fate of the Jewish community in Rome during World War II. This term gained prominence after Italian Jewish author and Holocaust survivor Primo Levi released his acclaimed collection of writings titled I Sommersi e i Salvati, or in English, The Drowned and the Saved. Levi’s work delves into life before, during, and after the war, exploring how different individuals coped with the horrors of the concentration camps. While the “saved” fought to hold onto life and their community, the “drowned” succumbed to a mere survival mentality, becoming the victims of fascist brutality.
The city of Rome has been home to one of the most ancient Jewish communities in Western Europe, with a history marked by periods of harmony and strife. From enduring the papal-imposed ghetto between 1555 and 1870 to achieving full citizenship upon the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy, Jewish Italians have contributed greatly to the nation’s culture and society like any other member of the community.
Following the aftermath of World War I, the toxic seeds of fascism took root in Italy under the dictatorship of Benito Mussolini, leading to a dark period in the country’s history. Italian fascism thrived on the concept of a puritanical national identity intertwined with the dominance of the Catholic Church. While the eradication of the Jewish populace wasn’t as immediate as in Nazi Germany, the looming threat posed a perilous situation for this minority group, a reality vividly portrayed in the exhibition.
In 1938, Mussolini released the pseudoscientific “Manifesto of Race,” laying down the foundation for the implementation of the Leggi Razziali (Racial Laws), which stripped Jewish Italians and African residents of Italy of their civil liberties. Jewish individuals were subjected to citizenship revocation, educational segregation, and various other discriminatory measures.
What’s in the exhibit?
“I sommersi. Roma 16 ottobre 1943” transports visitors back to the chilling day of October 16, 1943, when Jewish families in Rome were abruptly awoken by Nazi soldiers. In just twenty minutes, these families were forced to pack up their lives and depart the city under the escort of the soldiers, destined for concentration camps where their tragic fate awaited.
Through poignant individual stories like that of the Zarfati family, the exhibit weaves a narrative that embodies the struggles and resilience of the Jewish community in Rome during those harrowing times. Visitors can explore a collection of photographs, documents, personal belongings, and poignant film clips documenting the events of that fateful day in October. The haunting paintings by Pio Pullini, a notable artist from the 1940s, humanize the tales enshrined in the exhibit.
The specter of antisemitism even affected individuals outside the Jewish community, as evidenced by the story of Carolina Milani, a Catholic woman who faced deportation for refusing to abandon her care for Enrichetta Angeli, a bedridden Jewish woman.
Each detail in the exhibit adds a layer of tragedy to the narrative. For instance, a post-war school register from a Jewish institute in Rome lists some students’ fathers as “deported” or “shot,” serving as a solemn reminder of the devastation wrought by the dark chapter in history.
As you delve deeper into the exhibit, you encounter a uniform worn by a concentration camp prisoner, the striped garment draped over an anonymous figure in the shadows. This poignant image is etched in memory, symbolizing the relentless fight for remembrance and honor.
At the conclusion of the exhibit, a list of names of Jewish Romans ensnared by the Nazi regime plunges down against a stark black backdrop, evoking a sense of bottomless sorrow. While the exhibit evokes a sense of melancholy, the resilience of those listed as survivors stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity.
Until 18 February 2024
Capitoline Museums, Palazzo dei Conservatori, ground floor
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 9.30am – 07.30pm
Full entry to the Capitoline Museums: € 17
Full entry for residents: € 16
Reduced: € 14
