The Federal Republic of Germany has awarded the Order of Merit to Senator Liliana Segre, a Holocaust survivor.
The award was given in the Sala Zuccari of Palazzo Giustiniani, the seat of representation of the President of the Senate.
The German ambassador, Viktor Elbing, delivered the highest German institutional award.
"The ceremony - explains a note from Palazzo Madama - was held at Palazzo Giustiniani, having Liliana Segre received the honor in her role as Senator for life".
Casellati: 'His march has removed the veil from unspeakable pages
'- Having survived the death march, Liliana Segre has continued to walk, step by step, a long march through life to transform horror and oppression into memory and sharing ". This was stated by the President of the Senate, Elisabetta Casellati, opening the ceremony, in the Sala Zuccari of Palazzo Giustiniani, during which the ambassador of Germany, Viktor Elbing, presented the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to Senator Liliana Segre. "His march helped us to remove the veil on unspeakable pages of history, to confront ourselves with the inhuman face of humanity, to build awareness to counter its main ally: indifference ", added President Casellati. The ceremony was held at Palazzo Giustiniani,having Liliana Segre received the honor in her role as Senator for life: "A role that she is playing with great enthusiasm - added President Casellati - as well as that of President of the Extraordinary Commission for the fight against intolerance, racism, anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred and violence. The testimony of Liliana Segre today is the tangible sign that the courage of women can really help us to write a different future ". "If we were able together to build prospects of peace and well-being in Europe - concluded the President of the Senate - where before there was extermination and desolation, if we could define a common framework of rights and freedoms where before there was discrimination and intolerance,it is because we have been able to look deeply into the horror. "
Segre: 'Germany honor honors me and strikes me deeply
- "I am very honored but also deeply impressed. It is an opportunity to meditate on my long and painful path of reconciliation with Germany. monument to the fallen of the Ghetto. I think back to the thousands of German intellectuals and teachers who, over the decades, rebelling against the previous oblivion, have done an extraordinary job so that the new generations, born after the war, could deal with the nation's past , with a commitment that is an example for many European countries, including Italy. My thoughts also go to President Steinmeier and Chancellor Merkel, who today wisely lead a Germany, a bulwark of democracy and a messenger of peace in the world,as well as to President Ursula von der Leyen - whom I had the pleasure of meeting personally - a true champion of a Europe that is ever more united and in solidarity, against nationalisms and obscurantisms. I thank my friends Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, president of the Senate, and Noemi Di Segni, president of the UCEI, who wanted to be by my side on a day so special for me and full of meaning. I dedicate this honor to the memory of my dear Alberto, Olga and Giuseppe Segre. "This was said by Senator for life Liliana Segre after the delivery by Ambassador Viktor Elbing of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. The ceremony for the delivery of the high honor, already conferred in 2020 by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier "for the extraordinary commitment to remember the Shoah and the tireless fight against hatred and intolerance ", had been postponed due to the Covid emergency. The event was held in the Sala Zuccari of Palazzo Giustiniani at the Senate of the Republic .