Those “crazy people” of Piscina and Cumiana
Publish date 28-09-2024
Rinaldo, a “pillar” of Sermig, at the end of 1973 received a letter from Ernesto Olivero who had heard of a nice combative group from Piscina (TO), capable of protesting without breaking away from the Church (we were in the wake of ’68). It contained an invitation to get to know each other. The push to accept came from his dear friend Carlo.
They arranged a meeting in Viale Thovez, in Turin, then the headquarters of Sermig. Ernesto arrived accompanied by two friends, Lidia and Lino. Those from Piscina (and Cumiana who had joined in the meantime) were not initially eager to “expand”. They already had many things in place to carry out their “revolution”. Carlo pointed out that, instead, it was good to open up. It was the beginning of a participation – which lasts until today – with the imprint of a secular, not clerical, style.
On March 4, 1974, Carlo dies in a car accident while returning from a meeting in Piscina. A great pain alleviated by the friendship with Ernesto. After that moment, the relationship with Sermig consolidates. The “madmen” of Piscina and Cumiana bring new life.
After two recitals, A Christmas Like This to Denounce Consumerism and Peace Depends on Us (punctuated by the tapum, tapum, tapum of the song of the First World War), three traveling exhibitions are set up in the squares: War Depends on Us (1974) – initially entitled Satory, a city near Paris where a biennial exhibition of armaments was held –, The Reasons That Prevent Reconciliation (September 1975), We Denounce Violence Because We Want Peace (November 1975).
The 1974 traveling exhibition was presented as the first stop in Piazza Carlo Felice in Turin in front of the train station. Cardinal Michele Pellegrino, then Archbishop of Turin, was one of the first visitors, he carefully read each poster and expressed his positive impressions.
A 1976 Rai3 report on Sermig highlighted our motivations: the Third World exists because a large portion of resources is immobilized in armaments. For years we have been doing awareness work to fight hunger and the arms market. We continue to help missionaries on the front lines, taking inspiration from the prophet Isaiah: "They will beat their swords into plowshares, their spears into pruning hooks; nation will not lift up sword against nation, they will not learn war anymore."
The theme of peace and development inspired subsequent exhibitions: One world in peace, Peace is worthwhile, Peace will win if we talk, Peace 2000, Recycling: the first step of development...
Together with mimeographs, flyers, and newspaper articles, the exhibitions, supported by a constant presence in the squares, were our tools in those years. A preparation for later using other forms of communication including books, the magazine Progetto, the moments of discussion and study of the Università del dialogo, social channels...
Edited by the Editorial Staff
NP June / July 2024