Belgium/ A piece of Italy in Rebecq after 20 years of twinning with Monghidoro and memories of Italian immigration

Rebecq-Monghidoro, two village names ! Rebecq in Walloon Brabant, Monghidoro, in Italy, near Bologna. Two names, two destinies and much more than a simple twinning! Between the Walloon entity and the Italian village, it is a true love story that does not date back to yesterday, but which has not aged a bit.

This Sunday and Monday, an Italian delegation celebrates in Rebecq the 20th anniversary of an official and unusual twinning. The relationship between the two villages is close, almost family-like and full of hope.

In fact, the relationship between the two villages dates back to 1929 when Italians decided to flee the fascist regime. Many of them found refuge in Rebecq and the surrounding area. But it is especially from 1946 that the friendly history of the two villages really begins, year in which the first Italian workers leave Monghidoro to come and work in the quarry of Quenast, the biggest open air quarry in Europe.In spite of a very difficult life, in spite of the icy reception of some Walloons of the time, the exchanges between the two entities will multiply over the years. The links were strengthened. So much so that 20 years ago, the local authorities decided to formalize a real twinning. Strong links. Which seem to grow stronger over the years!

From Italy to the quarries of Quenast

"In 1946, 33 young men left Italy to come and work here, in the quarries of Quenast", explains Patricia Venturelli, mayor of Rebecq and daughter of an Italian from Monghidoro. "It was not an easy life. But gradually, links were created. Cultural, sporting, associative and family exchanges took place. In one direction and in the other. So Rebecq decided to make these links official. And today, I am happy to welcome the Italian delegation for its 20 years of charter marking the friendship between our villages. Several elected officials of Rebecq have Italian origins. My father, as well as the father of the President of the CPAS Marino Marchetti, is originally from Monghidoro".

A mayor in the spotlight

Among the members of the Italian delegation present in Rebecq: the mayor of Monghidoro, Barbara Panzacchi. "These 20 years of twinning and this past of immigration, it is a history of friendship and heart with our country", explains the mayor, visibly delighted with the welcome reserved to the delegation.

For the Walloon deputy Dimitri Legasse, this twinning means a lot. "It is more than a simple exchange. There are more than just links related to this work immigration. There are weddings, there are dishes, shared pleasures, there are songs, etc... It is indescribable!"

Enduring ties

In 1946, as the photos of the time prove (see photos of an exhibition dedicated to Italian immigration in Rebecq), the Italian workers did not have an easy life. But today, both communities emphasize the Belgian-Italian friendship. "It's extraordinary to see that these links cross the years and strengthen over time. Today,in Rebecq, you have a third of people of Italian origin, Italian restaurants, etc.," says Sophie, granddaughter of an Italian worker.

Believing in the future

"This strength that binds the two communities together is really important," comments Sarah Berti, author of a series of books on the subject and daughter of a former immigrant worker who rose through the ranks to become quarry manager at Quenast. "It'simportant to build relationships between communities, to share, to respect each other. It is the knowledge of the other that allows us to overcome prejudices. The sharing of cultures is all the more important as we live in a world in crisis. It ismore important than ever to build bridges between communities, because peace is the most important thing.

Today, a third of the inhabitants of Rebecq have Italian origins. The ties are family ties, a source of hope in a world facing enormous challenges.
And to immerse oneself in the history of the friendship between the two villages, a beautiful exhibition of photos and objects can be seen at the Moulin d'Arenberg, in the center of Rebecq.

Source: www.rtbf.be/