(ANSA) – MILAN, 09 MAR – How can we help children to voice their feelings and fears about the war in Ukraine? At the primary school in viale Bodio, in Milan, the civic education commission thought that they too had the right to demonstrate for peace. So today the little ones went down to the courtyard, each with his own design, to demonstrate, just like the grown-ups.
They listened to the intervention of the director, Laura Barbirato, who reminded them that in the basement of the institute there is a shelter from the Second World War also used by Ermanno Olmi, to whom the school is named. Then each class recited a poem or sang an antiwar song, from the Cranberries’ ‘Zombie’ to John Lennon’s’ Give Peace a Chance ‘. The children – some in yellow and blue T-shirts, the colors of Ukraine – have reimagined Munch’s Scream, drawn hands shaking, symbols of peace.
“In class they told us to make drawings, to hang in the courtyard for the demonstration and to put on packages to be sent to children in Ukraine – says Diego, 9 years old – I drew a symbol of peace with the flag of Russia and that of Ukraine and I wrote ‘no war’, then I made a world divided in half, one happy with the green islands and the blue sea, the other all gray, as a sign of sadness, with the oceans red with blood, while Giulia drew a bomb with a red x on it and Sofia shaking hands “. Drawing was a way to begin to approach the subject of war: “I’m not afraid but I could have it – says Diego – if they drop the atomic bomb. For me the Ukrainians who defend their land are heroes, and I think soon we will have new Ukrainian comrades. We will welcome them gently, like all comrades who arrive “.
After the ceremony in the courtyard, pupils from two other schools in the same complex also said no to war.
“And while the tears drowned the feelings, a small heart lit up, finding comfort – says the poem by Luna, seventh grade – in that crumb of love that still lived hidden by anger, in all souls”. (HANDLE).
Source: Ansa
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