All the teams of the Youth Academy of Atalanta paid tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Before starting the training session, the teams reflected and commented on the statement that was prepared by the Educational Staff. The goal of the discussion was to reflect on this dramatic, historical tragedy that was the result of hatred and intolerance, which we don’t want to witness ever again.

On 17 November 1938 the shameful Racial Laws were promulgated with the Regio Decreto n. 1728: athletes, coaches, sports managers, professional sportsmen and amateurs were subjected to antisemitic discrimination in our country. The fact that many Jewish athletes were obliged to abandon their sport and, in many cases, lost their life serves as a reminder that civil and democratic society must prevent, on an everyday basis, discrimination, violence, fanaticism, xenophobia and simple indifference.

Unfortunately, even today we witness actions that incite hatred, violence and anti-Semitism. On the contrary, we must encourage tolerance, inclusion, respect, empathy and values that were neglected by the Racial Laws, in sports and not only, in the 30-40s.
In the coming weeks, each Youth sector team of Atalanta will be educated on the subject through an online meeting in which the trainers and staff will also take part.

The following quotes can help to reflect on the IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBRANCE!

“Cultivating Memory is still today a precious vaccine against indifference and it helps us, in a world so full of injustice and suffering, to remember that each of us has a conscience and we can use it”.

Liliana Segre – a Holocaust survivor, Senator for life

“If understanding is impossible, knowing is imperative, because what happened could happen again. Consciences can be seduced and obscured again – even our consciences.”

Primo Levi – writer and chemist

In the photo the U17 youth team, coaches and staff reflecting on the Holocaust