L'Aquila invites Italy: we light a candle on the night between 5 and 6 April

An appeal to illuminate the windows and balconies, with the light of a cell phone or a candle, at midnight between 5 and 6 April next, on the occasion of the eleventh anniversary of the earthquake in L'Aquila which caused 309 deaths and around 1500 injured , was addressed to Abruzzo and the country by family members of the victims of the earthquake and by the mayor, Pierluigi Biondi.

In announcing that for the coronavirus emergency and for the ban on leaving home to prevent infections, the usual torchlight procession will not be possible for the first time in 11 years, the families of the victims "to feel united in memory", have decided to dedicate the event program also to the thousands of deaths from Covid-19.

"It will be an anniversary marked by silence and isolation what is preparing to celebrate L'Aquila, with the whole of Abruzzo, on April 6th. The difficult and complex situation determined by the coronavirus that prohibits any form of assembly dictates it - yes he reads in the appeal - respect for the rules - staying at home - is an obligation of absolute and imperative civilization as it affects everyone's safety. But we can feel united, in memory, with a simple gesture: lighting a candle or a light on the windows, on the balconies, in the gardens of our houses, on the night between April 5 and 6. In memory of the 309 victims of that terrible night 11 years ago, but also of all the women and men who because of the infection they lost their lives and went away on their own, without the comfort of a family member, without the last caress or the last glance of those who loved them and without a farewell ceremony. A torture that we know well and which adds pain to d olour. We ask the whole country to participate in this collective rite: a prayer made of light. So at least that night we will all be less alone. "

From midnight on Sunday, the symbolic places of the earthquake will be illuminated. At the same time the Holy Mass will be held behind closed doors in the church of Santa Maria del Suffragio with the reading of the names 'of the 309 martyrs', presided over by Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, Metropolitan Archbishop of L'Aquila. At 3.32 hours, 309 new strikes will sound in memory of the victims.