ORGAN OF PEACE SANT 'ANNA STAZZEMA

On August 12, 1944, the small village of Sant'Anna di Stazzema, in the province Lucca, was the scene of one of the most heinous massacres committed by the Nazi-fascists in Italy during the occupation. 560 unarmed people, mostly women, seniors and children were massacred by the murderous rage of the SS and also the organ of the church of the village was destroyed by the blows of grapeshot.

Only July 29, 2007, more than sixty years later, the music returned again to cheer the little church, thanks to a new organ, exquisitely crafted, built and donated by two German musicians, husband and wife Maren and Horst Westermann from Essen.

The Organ of Peace is a tool of great value and excellent workmanship made by craftsman Glauco Ghilardi from Lucca, in the tradition of the great Baroque organ builder from northern Germany, Arp Schnitger (1648-1710). For its non-aggressive tunes, for its warm and enveloping sound the organ is suitable for the execution of an interesting repertoire. It is situated in the little church of Sant'Anna di Stazzema, in the National Park of Peace, which offers to visitors the opportunity fo visiting the Historical Museum and the paths of the Park bordered by the hamlets of Sant'Anna.

 

Since 2007, an Organ Festival is held every summer, hosting major Italian and German musicians. Thanks to the universal language of music, the organ of Peace wants to help at preserving the memory of a common and painful European past as that of Nazism and Fascism, starting from the memory of the massacre of Sant'Anna.

 

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