History of Solidarity. Righteous Women and Men of Humanity

Subject

The research is aimed at designing and implementing training courses for teachers and educational projects related to Citizenship Education on Righteous men and women of Humanity. For the definition of Righteous of Humanity see Written Declaration of the European Parliament 10 May 2012 Support for the establishment of a European Day of the Righteous of Humanity, Law 20 December 2017 n.212 Establishment of the Day in Memory of the Righteous of Humanity (Italy); Regency Decree 22 March 2023 n.54 Day of the Righteous of Humanity (RSM).
The current research activity is related to Fernanda Wittgens, an art historian active in the protection of racially persecuted and anti-fascist people during the Second World War. Fernanda Wittgens also played a decisive role in saving the artistic heritage of the Brera Art Gallery and other important museums in Milan and Lombardy.

Learning outcomes

1. Promote a common memory of humanity based on the history of solidarity, as recommended by the Council of Europe and the European Union;
2. promote knowledge of the meaning of the title of Righteous of Humanity and, through the analysis of legislative documents, of the path to the establishment of the Day of the Righteous of Humanity (Written Declaration of the European Parliament 10 May 2012 Support for the establishment of a European Day of the Righteous of Humanity established by the Italian Parliament with Law 20 December 2017 n.212; Regency Decree 22 March 2023 n.54 Day of the Righteous of Humanity (RSM).
3. Promote knowledge of historical events of the twentieth century through figures of women and men who actively participated in civil, political and cultural life and carried out actions of solidarity and protection of human rights;

In reference to the research on Fernanda Wittgens:

1. Promote gender history;
2. Reconstructed, through archival sources, the actions of Fernanda Wittgens in the following fields of intervention:
   • clandestine expatriation of racially persecuted and anti-fascist people during the Second World War and his membership in the Milanese resistance network;
   • rescue of Italian works of art;
   • management of the Brera Art Gallery in the post-war period and commitment to the reconstruction and reopening of the art gallery;
   • development and implementation of the concept of a living museum;

Status of works

The research was started in 2023. In 2024, some archives containing documents will be consulted for the reconstruction of Fernanda Wittgens' biography and the publication of the results is expected at the end of 2024/first quarter of 2025. Teacher training activities and the design of educational paths related to the theme of the Righteous of Humanity will continue in 2024.