The "Day of Memory" was officially observed in Ann Arbor on Sunday, January 27.  The Day of Memory has been instituted in Europe to remember the Liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camps on January 1945.  This event was organized by the Italian Consulate in Detroit in cooperation with the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.
In Ann Arbor the "Day of Memory" was dedicated to the author Primo Levi and his dramatic experience as a Auschwitz inmate.  Prof. Elena Past of Wayne State University introduced  the movie “The Truce”, by Francesco Rosi, and explained its images. Everybody could see how terrible and devastating the Shoah was.  The motto is: DO NOT FORGET.  Primo Levi’s words still resound loudly and are frightening in our contemporary society.
In the afternoon the session opened with an outstanding lecture by Prof. Ralph Williams of the University of Michigan.  He passionately underlined how Levi felt “offended” in his soul and in his mind.  His offense wasn’t only physical but also psychological.  He was humiliated twice: by the Nazis and their organized sadism, and also from the indifference of his friends and family who didn’t want to listen to what happened behind that atrocious gate.
Following the projection of a Davide Ferrario's documentary “Primo Levi’s Journey”,  which showed the adventurous journey Primo Levi took from Auschwitz before reaching Turin, there was an interesting and vibrating panel. This panel analyzed various aspects of Levi’s life and of the role of the Jewish partisan movement in Italy.  Prof. Gabriele Boccaccini of the University of Michigan illustrated the importance of the role of the Jews in the making of Italy.  He also explained that the Jews and the Jewish Community had always been very integrated with the Catholics in Italy. 
Boccacini then underlined the shameful Racial Laws of 1938 and the dramatic deportation of Italian Jews, which counted for 6000 victims.  But he also proudly showed how many Italians acted with heroism without telling anyone about their heroic actions.  Among these heroes there were some very popular and famous people such as Angelo Roncalli (Pope John XXIII) and Gino Bartali (famous cyclist winner of the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia).  People like them helped 35,000 Italian Jew to escape from Italy or to hide and save themselves from the concentration camp.
The other two papers by Prof. David Wienberg of Wayne State University and Prof. Henry Greenspan of the University of Michigan analyzed in depth Primo Levi’s literary work.  Prof. Wienberg underlined the importance of Levi’s  work in the European context of Holocaust Studies.  Prof. Greenspan analyzed the psychological effects of Levi’s experience as a testimony of the human degradation of the “other” at Auschwitz.

Maestro Nebiolo masterfully demonstrated his expertise.  His ability and performance left me personally breathless. He performed guitar music from Baroque to contemporary music, including a piece by Paganini.  It was a very interesting and captivating program. Just looking at his fingers running through the cords was a wonder, in addition to listening in awe to the beautiful sounds they were able to elicit. He certainly showed all his passion and great ability.

The reception after the concert completed the success of the evening, and our Italian innate tendency to socialization expressed itself in full force! It was another occasion in which our Italianism and culture got us closer.  It certainly shows how important it is to continue in this direction and to keep friendship and cooperation working hand in hand.  A heartfelt thank to our Consul Dr. Romeo and to the Italian Consulate for this cultural and social opportunity! 

Prof. Stefano Mengozzi kindly organized a tour of the theater before the performance with Prof. Jeff Kuras, Director of University Productions.  Prof. Kuras really sparked everybody’s attention by telling us all the secrets behind the scenes.  We learned that students play a primary role in all productions.