Great people (at least the ones I've met) are ordinary people. Simple, direct, humble, intimate...
The legendary president of Italy, Sandro Pertini (1896-1990) lived with his wife, a former journalist, in an attic near the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome, built in the seventeenth century.
Famous Toto Coutinho, an Italian singer, musician and writer, mentions Pertini in a song “as a president who is a partisan”.
Educated, an art lover, a man of the people, Pertini was one of the most beloved Italian presidents.
At the University of Genoa, Sandro graduated in law.
His wife never entered the Quirinale Palace.
- My wife was a journalist. Today she works as a psychologist, treating drug addicts. She works voluntarily at the hospital, she chose this job and she really does it with all her heart and enthusiasm - said Pertini.
- We don't live in the Quirinale Palace, but in an attic in Trevi Square. Like every worker and the first employee of the state, I return home in the evening. There I become an ordinary citizen, I surrender to the intimacy of my family, I feel more comfortable, freer...
The son of a farmer, the world-famous Sandro Pertini, was the president of Italy from 1978 to 1985, a country that has long been friendly to Montenegro.
Exactly forty-two years ago, on sunny September 21, 1983, the President of Italy, Pertini, arrived in Pljevlja for a two-day visit to Montenegro, to attend the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the formation of the Italian division "Garibaldi", which was founded in this Montenegrin city in 1943. It fought against fascism as part of the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia. The young Italian surgeon is remembered Ferdinand Truini, who was part of the "Garibaldi" battalion, joined the partisans, and significantly contributed to the establishment of a surgical team in the elite, First Proletarian Brigade, led by Cetinje Dr. Đani Popović. Although very young, Doctor Truini possessed extensive experience in war surgery, human qualities and medical ethics...
After landing at Titograd airport, Pertini headed down Zabjelo, along Petra Matovića Street (today Kralja Nikole Street) towards the Villa “Gorica”.
Then, by the Blue Train (presidential) to Prijepolje, and from there, by car, via Jabuka, to Pljevlja, where he was welcomed by a crowd of people. With him was Mika Špiljak, President of the Presidency of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (head of state). Then Lazar Mojsov, the then Yugoslav State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Marko Orlandic, President of the Presidency of the Socialist Republic of Montenegro, famous partisan hero Peko Dapcevic and numerous guests from political and cultural life.
In the Pljevlja settlement of Mrzovići, a monument to the Garibaldi was unveiled by Sandro Pertini in the presence of a large number of citizens of Pljevlja and the surrounding area. The monument is the work of the Titograd architect Vasilije Vaj Knežević, an excellent architect who, among other things, also enriched Sastavke, the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers.
He was with Pertini and Giulio Andreotti, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy. Behind Pertini stood his adjutant, an Italian general, and behind Špiljak, a young JNA major, from the ranks of the former Tito's orderly.
Pertini met with Tito.
- I heard about Tito during World War II. We, members of the Resistance Movement, were constantly in contact with the Yugoslav Partisans and Tito, but there was no opportunity to meet at that time - Pertini recalled.
- When Tito arrived in Rome, our mutual sympathy developed into a sincere and deep friendship. We became close. He was a great man, of an exceptionally strong will and intelligence. Now he is sorely missed...
The President of Italy said that he was happy to be coming to anti-fascist, heroic Montenegro, where he will evoke memories of the time of the joint fight against fascism with former partisans.
As a message to young people, Pertini once published the book "Six Verdicts - Two Escapes", as he pointed out, "a simple book, with a lot of interesting information and easy to read."
- My book is a kind of testimony to a long and difficult time of fascist dictatorship - explained Pertini.
- Young people need to understand that fascism and dictatorship, ghosts of the past, have not been eradicated once and for all, but are still present. Also, young people need to understand that democracy and freedom must be conquered again and again and constantly defended...
A statesman who adored art, especially painting and sculpture; Pertini loved Caravaggio, Michelangelo, RafaelaHe particularly liked them, especially the works of Caravaggio. He was friends with Picasso i Chagall...
Interestingly; Caravaggio was a role model for Pljevljak, a prominent Montenegrin painter, Hazbo Nuhanović, who, while he was a member of the Presidency of Montenegro, lived in the Villa “Gorica” and painted there.
Fascism and dictatorship have not yet been eradicated! - said Sandro.
What do you think, was he right!?
Judge for yourself!
Bonus video:
