Diamond wedding in the time of the Coronavirus. An important milestone for Fosco and Maria, originally from Sologno but currently stuck in Reggio for the Covid-19 emergency, who, after a life spent together, last Thursday, April 23, celebrated 60 years of marriage. With a little bit of ailments, a beautiful piece of history lived on the shoulders, a cake with a dedication and a toast, strictly at home – as per government regulations -, and only with family members living together. If the situation improves, in the near future, and in complete safety, the couple hopes to be able to replicate the diamond wedding celebrations in the church of Sologno (Villa Minozzo), where 60 years ago they were united in the sacred bond of marriage.
Son of Dante and Irma, Fosco Bertucci was born in Sologno di Villa Minozzo on 11 August 1930, the last of 4 children: Velia (born in ’20 and prematurely passed away in ’36), Dino (born in ’24 and disappeared in 87), and Nardo (born in ’28 and currently residing in Reggio Emilia). In ’37 Fosco was fatherless, struck down by fulminant pneumonia. Irma is widowed with 3 children who will grow up with the help of her brother-in-law Domenico Bertucci. The hardships of the war are overcome with great sacrifices. During the retreat at the end of World War II, German soldiers burn part of the house and barn, and raid food. After the war, Dino, Nardo and Albertino (Domenico’s son) left the country for economic reasons: who went to work in Switzerland, who went to Milan and who went to Reggio. Fosco, however, stays in Sologno with his mother and uncles to manage the small farm, and in the meantime he learns the profession of house painter and bricklayer.
Maria Sassi, daughter of Arturo and Armida, was also born in Sologno on March 2, 1936, penultimate of 5 children: Ido (born in ’25 and currently residing in Rome), Elide (born in ’27 and disappeared in 2018), Martino (born in ’29 and disappeared in ’94) and Rina (born in ’38 and residing in Reggio).
Having overcome the war, staying with their respective families, with many narrowness and sacrifices, Fosco and Maria unite in marriage in the church of Sologno on April 23, ’60 and bring the home of the new family to via Case Guidi 2. From ’60 to ‘ 75 Fosco works at the Val Lucola di Sologno bricklayers cooperative as a bricklayer, while Maria takes care of the family and with the help of her husband runs a small farm – note that in the 50’s in Sologno there are about 130 farms that produce milk for Parmigiano Reggiano, while today, in 2020, there is no longer any dairy farm active in the country.
In 1975, mainly due to problems related to the schooling of their children, Gianni (born in ’61) and Irma (born in ’63), Fosco and Maria decided to leave the Apennines to move to Reggio, where they remained until their well-deserved retirement. Once retired they return to their native country, except for a few winter months, because living in the Apennines, in the cold months, today is very hard, especially for those who are not self-employed and for the lack of services.
And so, last Thursday, in Reggio, they soberly celebrated the prestigious milestone, waiting for better times to do it also in the Apennines.
Redacon © agency
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