A plaque for memory: ANPI in Brussels remembers Italian partisans who fell for freedom

Brussels – On the occasion of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a memorial plaque was unveiled today (May 8) at 10 Rue de la Perle, in Molenbeek, in the Brussels region. The symbolic gesture, sponsored by the Belgian section of the ANPI (National Association of Italian Partisans), pays tribute to four residents of the building, including three Italian partisans, victims of Nazi repression during World War II.

Etrusco Benci, Elvio Coccia, and Carlo Cocciarelli, all anti-fascist volunteers, had begun their battle in the Spanish Civil War against the Franco regime. Later, they joined the Belgian resistance, where they engaged in sabotage actions against the Nazi occupation. They lived together with two young Jewish sisters, Blanche and Sarah Istinne. Arrested in 1943, they found death at the hands of the Nazis: Benci was shot at the Tir National, Enclos des Fusillés, while Coccia, Cocciarelli and Sarah Istinne were deported and died in the Dora and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps. Only Blanche survived.

The plaque, affixed to the facade of the building, has become a symbol of a memory that transcends national borders. “The decision to install it precisely on May 8 is not accidental,” explained Roberto Galtieri, of ANPI Belgium: “It is an occasion to remember that among the liberators of our democracy were also Italian migrants, young Jews, women and men united by the courageous choice of the Resistance.”

Participating in the ceremony, Italian Ambassador to NATO, Marco Peronaci, recalled the universal value of the sacrifice made: “Freedom is one of the foundations of our European civilisation. But it cannot exist without historical awareness. Today, more than ever, memory is a tool to resist hatred and violence. Europe was also born thanks to these acts of courage, these names carved into the silence of the walls. We owe our present to those who have fought, often without recognition, for a more just future.”

The Consul of Italy in Brussels, Francesco Variale, also emphasised the educational value of the commemoration: “Initiatives like this serve to make known, especially to younger people, a fundamental part of Italian and European history. We cannot let ignorance or revisionism erase the courage of these men and women. Remembering the Italian partisans who gave their lives for democracy is not only a civic duty, but also an investment in the future of the European Union. The roots of our peaceful coexistence lie in the struggle against Nazi-fascism.”

(Foto: Admnistration Molenbeek-Saint-Jean – Communication Departement)

The ceremony was held in the presence of members of the Molenbeek municipality, members of the municipal college, representatives of civil society, and numerous citizens. Mayor Amet Gjanaj recalled the topicality of anti-fascism: “Unfortunately, it is not just history. In recent weeks, our neighbourhood has been the scene of a racist attack by right-wing extremists. That is why today, more than ever, it is crucial to reaffirm our commitment: Molenbeek is an open city, with over 120 cultural origins represented, and will continue to be so.”

Local authorities announced their intention to strengthen paths of remembrance in schools, promoting workshops and meetings with witnesses and historians. Remembrance, they said, “is not a celebration of the past, but a gesture of active resistance against the new forms of hatred that are resurfacing in Europe.” The ceremony ended with the collective singing of “Bella Ciao,” a moment of emotion and reflection, but also a message of hope.