Rome’s Liceo Visconti Hosts Screening of Nova Festival Massacre Documentary, Sparks Debate
The Liceo Classico Statale Ennio Quirino Visconti in Rome, a historically significant institution known as the oldest liceo classico in the city, recently hosted a screening of “We Will Dance Again,” a documentary detailing the events of the Nova Festival massacre. The screening prompted a powerful reaction from students and ignited a discussion about the conflict and its origins.
A Powerful Documentary and Immediate Impact
The documentary, which combines survivor footage, terrorist recordings, and surveillance camera images, presents a minute-by-minute account of the October 7th attack. Attendees at the Visconti High School screening were visibly moved, with many expressing shock and condemnation of the events depicted. A significant number of students admitted they were previously unaware of the full extent of the tragedy, stating they had “never imagined things had gone like this.”
Critical Discussion and Curriculum Enrichment
Beyond the initial emotional response, the screening spurred critical discussion. Some students questioned the timing of the police and army response and raised concerns about the location of the Nova Festival near the border. These criticisms were directed towards Israel, representing a nuanced perspective within the broader conversation.
The event was part of the school’s Cinesofia Cinema and Philosophy Festival, organized by Professor Sergio Petrella. Originally focused on the theme of war with a predominantly Palestinian perspective, the festival was broadened to include “We Will Dance Again” following dialogue between parents and school officials. Professor Petrella expressed pride in this objective and the enrichment it brought to the educational experience.
School Leadership Support and Civic Engagement
Principal Rita Pappalardo emphasized the importance of bringing the Visconti High School back to the center of civil and moral debate on critical contemporary issues. She noted the profound silence following the screening as evidence of the documentary’s impact and the necessity of presenting it to students.
“We Will Dance Again” has garnered support for wider distribution, with many advocating for its screening in high schools and universities across Italy, following a recent preview in the Senate.
About Liceo Visconti
Founded in 1871 in the building formerly occupied by the Jesuit Roman College, the Liceo Classico Ennio Quirino Visconti holds a prominent place in Italian education. It is also recognized as a Cambridge International School, certified by the University of Cambridge [Liceo Visconti Website]. The school faced challenges during World War II, with science teacher Maria Piazza being dismissed and 58 Jewish students expelled under fascist racial laws in 1938 [Wikipedia – Ennio Quirino Visconti Liceo Ginnasio].