Theatrical performance at Certosa Monumental Cemetery

In July and August 2025, the Certosa Monumental Cemetery hosted "Pen, Bread and Justice", a play highlighting equality, solidarity, and justice through the stories of Bologna’s important historical figures.

About the event

As part of the Certosa 2025 Summer Calendar, the Certosa Monumental Cemetery in Bologna, Italy, hosted the theatrical performance "Pen, Bread and Justice" (in Italian "Penna, Pane e Giustizia").

Produced by Associazione Rimacheride and directed by Giovanna Manfredini, the performance featured Luisa Vitali and Nicola Fabbri, with an original text by Giacomo Gailli. The play presented the stories of three important historical figures from Bologna, through which the values of equality, solidarity, and justice were reflected.

• 1878 – Gualberta Alaide Beccari, a Mazzinian and pioneering voice of the emancipation magazine La Donna, educated people about equality. Gender equality was her mission.
• 1914 – Francesco Zanardi, elected Mayor of Bologna on a socialist electoral programme focused on bread and literacy, is shown in a dialogue with a baker, symbolizing the everyday work that sustains community life.
• 1939 – Mario Finzi, a political and civil activist during the Second World War and founder of Delasem, built a network that helped save millions of Jews from extermination, illustrating that peace is built through solidarity and trust.

Peace, justice and strong institutions

The project was realized as part of the ASCE "Significant Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe" initiative, which included numerous activities during the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC) and throughout the year. In 2025, it focused on peace, justice, and strong institutions—Goal 16 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

*Cover photo by Simone Bonetti, in-post photo by Giacomo Gailli.

Drama production "20th Century Casualties"

Join us for a trio of playlets on the lives of three Newbury men who died in dramatic circumstances between 1938 and 1940.

About the event

The Resurrection Players proudly present the drama production "20th Century Casualties", directed by Ros Clow. A trio of playlets on the lives of three Newbury men who died in dramatic circumstances between 1938 and 1940 and are commemorated in Newtown Road Cemetery (Newbury, United Kingdom).

The event, which was created as part of the "Grave of the month" project, will take place at the Royal British Legion Club (Pelican Lane, Newbury RG14 1NP) on September 14, 15 and 16, 2023, at 7.30 pm.

The tickets can be bought online at trybooking.co.uk/39507 or via the QR code in the original invitation.

Grave of the month

This month, the graves of the three Newbury residents presented below will be marked and also featured in the drama production "20th Century Casualties."

At the north end of the cemetery, you will find the Commonwealth War Grave of A.C. Jessett who committed suicide in 1940 rather than return to work at RAF Harwell, where he looked after Wellington bombers.

Also marked is a grave without a headstone, the grave of Fred Gardner who was electrocuted at Pangbourne substation in 1938. We know where the grave is because someone took a photo of the funeral, a very rare occurrence.

At the south end, near the top gate is the memorial to Jack Marshall Evans who died in the submarine HMS Triad in 1940. He is remembered on the grave of his grandparents, John and Louisa Claridge.

*Main photo source: www.fnrcnewbury.org.uk