Flood memories from Polesine: witnesses share stories of resilience and loss
Fifty years after the tragedy caused by the flood in Polesine, the Spazio Donna laboratory in Ponte San Marco conducted an investigation with witnesses from that time to find out what they remembered, relating the events of that period to what happened last November in the regions of Piedmont, Liguria, and Lombardy. Researcher Anna Pasqualini interviewed several women who, for one reason or another, still hold memories of those distant events.
Flood Memories from Matilde’s Perspective
“Matilde was a nine-year-old girl living in Ghedi,” begins Anna Pasqualini in describing her investigation, which was featured in the recent issue of “Informanziani” (the supplement for the elderly of the Calcinato municipal newsletter). Her house was close to the school, allowing her to see and experience those days firsthand, emotionally involved. She recalls that the school building was converted into a shelter for the unfortunate families who had lost all their possessions in the flood.”
Matilde also remembers her mother calling the seven children around her and telling them to select a toy or piece of clothing to donate to the children affected by the flood. Matilde’s family hosted a nine-year-old girl, also affected by the flood. The mothers of the flood victims prepared meals using the school kitchen.
“One terrible day, Matilde fell ill, and even today she laments her forced separation from school, mourning the loss of her new friend. Many flood victims settled in the area, finding shelter and work, thereby rebuilding their lives.” Another witness of those days is Anna herself.
Anna’s Story and Her Unforgotten Love
“In 1951, she was twenty years old and during that summer, she met a young man she immediately fell in love with. Their meetings continued beyond the summer holidays; they often met and had countless things to say to each other. Anna’s feelings grew stronger until, suddenly, in November, the young man stopped appearing. The disappointment was great and inexplicable. Suppressing sighs and tears, Anna decided not to think about it anymore.”
“November passed. Christmas was approaching when the young man reappeared. With an embarrassed look, he explained that he had been in Polesine with his superior. He asked for Anna’s forgiveness. Anna – as the researcher emphasizes – immediately agreed. They have been husband and wife for 44 years.” The investigation concludes with the testimony of Lidia, who deserves special mention.
Lidia’s Memory and Her Life Experience
“It was hard to get words out of her. It was clear that the memory still caused her pain. She says she always hears the roar of the water rushing in, swallowing everything. She was about 11 years old, living in Contarina, Rovigo, in a two-story house. The lower floor was completely flooded, and when the water receded, it left behind more than half a meter of muddy, foul-smelling slime, due to the large number of animals drowned. “
Lidia recalls crowds camped along the embankments and others stubbornly staying in their homes to defend what little remained. “With a friend, she would go from house to house in a boat to take requests for supplies. She didn’t realize the danger; it seemed like a game, and it was exciting to control the boat in the rushing river, which also carried animal carcasses toward the sea.” Christmas passed, and Lidia doesn’t want to say how – it must have been a very sad Christmas. On January 2, 1952, she and other children were sent to a camp in Cesenatico.”
“Epiphany arrived and brought them clothes. Lidia wrote a letter to her father, telling him about the gifts and her life in the camp. Her father constantly reminded her to be grateful to her hosts. Lidia states that solidarity was spontaneous and generous.” Cities such as Bologna, Torino, and Novara helped flood victims significantly, but Lidia’s hometown was never rebuilt.
“Because the costs were too high.”