8 June 2026

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I would like to recall a particular circumstance that gave me the opportunity to get to know Roberto Napolitano a little better. By Anna Segre.

I’d like to recall a particular circumstance that gave me the opportunity to get to know Roberto Napolitano a little better.
A few years ago, two classes at the Alfieri Classical High School began research on the students expelled from school in 1938 due to the racial laws. On that occasion, the students met Roberto Napolitano, who was both the father of a student and the son of Elena Recanati, one of the 39 students expelled in 1938, who would later be deported to Auschwitz. Roberto had read the students passages from his mother’s diary, but his contribution wasn’t limited to that: in its original form, the reading-performance the students had put on would interrupt at a certain point while Elena Recanati was being mentioned and the words, “Elena Recanati’s son is here,” were said, and Roberto, who was sitting in the audience, was invited on stage for a brief interview.
This sudden disconnect between the stage and reality always had a profound impact on the audience, and was very useful in conveying the real stories of real people. However, it obviously required Roberto’s constant availability to participate in all the reruns. The live interview gave him the opportunity to give answers that hadn’t been agreed upon in advance. Once, when asked if he feared a return of anti-Semitism, he replied that the current form of anti-Semitism is hostility toward Israel. Coincidentally, from that moment on, it was decided not to abuse his availability further, and the interview was replaced with a new scene. Naturally, Roberto was well aware that he was saying something that might displease some people; we had discussed it beforehand, just as we had had the opportunity to discuss various topics during that period. Today, I realize even more how prophetic his willingness to shed light on a problem that teachers and students don’t want to see was.
This experience has allowed me to get to know a person of great kindness, openness, and a truly delightful person. May his memory be a blessing.

Anna Segre

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