Roman Students Confront the Abyss of the Shoah in Auschwitz and Birkenau
Rome, March 18, 2026 – The “Journey of Remembrance 2026” has entered its core phase with a profound visit to the Nazi extermination camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau in Oświęcim, Poland. A delegation of 132 Roman students, accompanied by 19 teachers and Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, immersed themselves in the sites of deportation, gathering before the stationary railway convoy at the Birkenau camp’s access track – a poignant arrival point for deportees during World War II. This visit marked a day of intense reflection and education, forming the heart of the program promoted by Roma Capitale and the Metropolitan City.
The Mechanisms of Deportation Explained
Historian Marcello Pezzetti guided the students, elucidating the horrifying functionality of the Nazi extermination system. He detailed the process at the so-called Judenrampe, or “ramp of the Jews,” where selections took place, dividing deportees into those destined for forced labor and those immediately sent to gas chambers. “Approximately 80 percent were sent to the gas chambers, and 20 percent to labor,” Pezzetti explained, emphasizing that in some instances, entire convoys were marked for immediate annihilation.
Mayor Gualtieri: “Here, the Abyss of Inhumanity”
During the visit, Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri spoke before a sealed wagon, a stark symbol of deportation. “Only by coming here does one gain a full perception of the abyss of inhumanity that the Shoah represented,” he stated. Gualtieri highlighted how this system was enabled by a complex interplay of “normality and bestiality,” executed with bureaucratic and scientific methods. He underscored the vital role of memory as a cornerstone of democracy: “Our capacity for progress stems from the defeat of that barbarity and from never losing that memory.”
Historical Responsibilities and the Role of Fascism
The Mayor also addressed the historical responsibilities of fascism, describing the Shoah as “a dark chapter in human history” that “was the result of precise, daily choices, with the complicity of fascism that adopted racial laws and collaborated in the extermination.” He stressed that memory is an indispensable tool to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.
Living Testimonies: Tatiana and Andra Bucci
The day’s events were preceded by a reflective session featuring sisters Tatiana and Andra Bucci, both survivors of the deportation, who shared their experiences via video link. “Today’s wars frighten me; I think of the children,” said Tatiana Bucci, recalling her trauma and the responsibility to transmit memory to new generations. The sisters survived because they were subjected to experiments by the Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, who mistook them for twins.
Remembering Forgotten Victims
The journey also includes moments dedicated to other minorities persecuted by Nazism and fascism. Alongside the Jewish community, representatives from the Roma community and LGBTQ+ associations were present to remember victims often excluded from historical narratives. Marilena Grassadonia, Rome’s LGBTQ+ rights coordinator, emphasized the importance of “restoring memory and dignity to forgotten exterminations.” Mario Colamarino, president of the Mario Mieli Circle, spoke of the necessity to “transform memory into daily commitment.”
Commemoration at the Judenrampe
One of the most intense moments occurred at the Judenrampe, where a stone was laid in accordance with Jewish tradition, alongside a wreath of flowers. The ceremony was attended by, among others, Victor Fadlun, President of the Jewish Community of Rome, and Barbara Funari, Rome’s Councillor. A representative from the Roma community was also present, remembering the victims of the extermination and the ongoing discrimination they face.
The Shoah Museum and Rome’s Commitment
During the visit, Gualtieri reiterated the Roman administration’s commitment to memory policies, confirming the continuation of the Shoah Museum project in Rome. “We are investing heavily in this issue,” he explained, “and today we can also count on financial contributions from the Government to advance the museum.” This project is part of a broader effort involving schools and institutions to keep the memory of the Shoah alive and transmit it to future generations.
