Do you know what Remembrance Day is?
It is a memorial day observed in many countries to honour the armed forces members who have died in the line of duty, especially during the First World War. It is also known as Poppy Day, because of the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy, a symbol inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae. Remembrance Day is usually celebrated on 11 November, the date when the armistice that ended the First World War was signed in 1918.
Ignazio Vian and WWII
One of the many heroes who fought and died in the Second World War was Ignazio Vian, an Italian soldier and partisan. He was born in Venice in 1917, and he was a teacher and a member of the Catholic student association F.U.C.I. When Italy entered the war, he joined the army as an artillery officer. He decided to resist the Nazi occupation and formed one of the first partisan groups in the Alps. He fought bravely against the enemy, but he was captured in a mission in Turin in 1944. He was tortured for months, but he never betrayed his comrades. He was executed on 22 July 1944, his body remained hanging for a week for demonstrational purposes to the city’s population.
Focus on Agenda 2030
Ignazio Vian’s story is an example of courage, sacrifice and loyalty, but also of the horrors of war and violence. His legacy is relevant to the Goal 16 of the Agenda 2030, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. To achieve this goal, we need to reduce all forms of violence, end abuse and exploitation, combat corruption and organized crime, ensure equal access to information and justice, and protect the freedoms and rights of all people.
Our comments about the experience at Remembrance Day for schools
“The aims I achieved by doing this presentation are: to honour the memory and values of Ignazio Vian; to communicate effectively and confidently in English; to improve my public speaking and presentation skills.
The whole experience was very rewarding and enriching for me. I enjoyed preparing and delivering our presentation, and I was very proud of the positive response and recognition I received from the audience. I also learned a lot from the other presenters, who had different topics and perspectives, but shared a common vision of promoting peace and justice in the world. I think this experience has enhanced my knowledge and skills in peace education and human rights, and has inspired me to continue learning and acting for a better future.”
–Serena Cicchetti 5N
“I felt very relieved and satisfied when the presentation ended. I was very nervous before and during the presentation because I wanted to do a good job and to honor the memory of Ignazio Vian and that of the entire school. I was also grateful to have learned more about the British Embassy and its activities, and to my teachers and the headmistress for giving me this opportunity. It permitted me to put in practice what I study at school daily and it made me aware that hard work and perseverance are always rewarded. It was a very enriching experience for me.”
–Federico Di Vaio 5N
“My aims for this project were to honour the man our school was named after, Ignazio Vian, to create a presentation that would properly tell his story and to improve my speaking abilities. It was a pleasure taking part in this project and I think I was able to reach all the goals I had set myself. I’d like to thank all the people I worked with and all the teachers who gave us the opportunity to participate.”
–Ludovico Lax 5N
“Presenting our hero Ignazio Vian’s life at Villa Wolkonsky was a fantastic experience. The event was well-organised, complete with good food and drinks. We had fun trying something new, something we’d never done before, and we got the chance to see several other classes and what their students had prepared. There were presentations, billboards, and even paintings! Everyone presented their own theme with their own take on it, all while sticking to the most important one: Remembrance Day, and what it stands for.”
-Manlio Valente 5L
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