Arandora Star Memorial Garden

[Marisa]

I'm pleased to say that at long last Scotland is to get a memorial to the victims of the Arandora Star. It will take the form of a garden with a cafe and meeting rooms next to Glasgow's Catholic cathedral in the centre of the city, by the river. Many of us have relatives and ancestors who died in this tragedy. My great grandmother's cousin, Giacinto Frattaroli of Picinisco, died leaving his wife and two children. I have other relatives who died, but not from Picinisco - Orazio and Vincenzo Iannetta and Francesco Gargaro. This unacknowledged tragedy has left a scar on the Italian community in Scotland, and it is a great source of comfort to know it is finally recognised. Scotland's First Minister - Alex Salmond - announced the plan jointly with Glasgow's archbishop Mario Conti. We still don't have an apology - but this is a good move.

Marisa

Here is the article from the BBC


Garden to commemorate war tragedy

An appeal fund has been launched to build an Italian cloister garden in Glasgow to commemorate a forgotten tragedy of World War II.

Almost 700 people died when the Arandora Star was sunk off the coast of Ireland in July 1940 while transporting Italian and German internees.

Campaigners hope to raise £1.5m to construct the memorial next to St Andrew's Cathedral in Clyde Street.

Work on the garden is expected to begin during winter and last for one year.

Details of the project were announced by First Minister Alex Salmond and Archbishop Mario Conti.

Of those who died in the tragedy, 446 were Italian nationals who had made their home in Britain.

Archbishop Conti said: "The monument itself will be a fitting symbol of the great bonds of friendship between Scotland and Italy.

"This will be a garden for everyone. We plan a wall of names to remember those who have died and those who help build the cloister."

When complete, the cloister garden will feature a café, exhibition space, meeting rooms, a gathering area and a central courtyard.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7421966.stm

Published: 2008/05/28 07:05:52 GMT

© BBC MMVIII
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