Stories of Friendship opens in London

Stories of Friendship photography exhibition was inaugurated on Thu 24th July at the Museum of the Order of St. John, in the City of London. At the opening ceremony members of both the British and the Italian communities were able to retrace some of the most salient points that marked the final stages of World War II. Stories of Friendship also included personal stories of ordinary men and women who witnessed such events. They presented a new insight into the period between 1943 and 1945, when the British Army reached the southern coast of the Italian peninsula.

The opening ceremony held within the historical Chapter Hall of the museum, included talks from key figures. Both the Ambassador of Italy to the United Kingdom, Pasquale Terracciano and the Consul General of Italy, Massimiliano Mazzanti expressed their appreciation for the research work carried out by the organizers, YOUMANTY - and the students who examined in excess of 40 thousand photographs, out of which 100 were selected for the exhibition. Another key guest speaker was Mark Whitmore, Director of Collections & Research of the Imperial War Museum, whose contribution to Stories of Friendship was fundamental. Dr Whitmore made available important photographic material kept in the archives of the Museum. The opening ceremony was also marked by a talk delivered by the celebrated Italian historian Prof. Vito Antonio Leuzzi, who made reference to the role played by Radio Bari and Radio London in the liberalisation process of information in Italy, which started immediately after the signing of Armistice in Sept 1943.

Curated by Tatiana Chierici, the one hundred photographs contained in this exhibition testify that even in the darkest gloom of war there can be room for positive values. Brotherhood and solidarity unite people, regardless of nationality or status. The photographs show how soldiers fraternize with members of the civilian population developing important relationships, some lasting a whole life-time. This message could not have found a better expression as in the three amazing stories narrated during the ceremony. The audience was visibly moved by the personal reflections of David Perryman, whose father lost his life in San Severo in the fight against nazi-fascism in 1943. Mr Perryman described his efforts that went into finding his father’s grave in Italy - he was only four years old when his father tragically died. It was in 1989 when Mr Perryman found his father’s resting pace within the ‘crescent-shaped tomb stones’ of the military Sangro River cemetery. It is here that he "shed the tears held back for forty years." Mr Perryman conveyed his gratitude to the organizers of Stories of Friendship: "thank you for finding me in Preston and for providing me with the photos of my dad's funeral in San Severo. These were photographs I had never seen before."

Despite the human suffering experienced in the war, the exhibition showcased at the Museum of the Order of St John shows how a humanitarian bridge was built between winners and losers, between the United Kingdom and Italy. This common thread also emerged in the speech of Giuseppe Clemente. His viewpoint was diametrically opposed to Mr Perryman’s. His touching story remembered a mother from San Severo who in 1943 became powerless to the sadness of an English soldier. The latter becoming attached to both the woman and her little son for they brought back memories of his own wife and son, both killed in the bombing of Coventry earlier that year. Once again, human empathy proving to go beyond uniforms and language barriers, bringing together all that unites us in our common humanity, an embrace between the two, mutual understanding, for those who until a few days before may have been enemies.

The last guest speaker at this most touching opening ceremony was Mila Kemp. The daughter of a British Army Corporal, Mrs Kemp’s story could be considered the embodiment of this unique exhibition. Her father, Corporal Philip Kemp, met his future wife, Pia Carriera, while serving with the 8th Army in San Severo. Here two former enemies fell in love, marry and stayed together for the rest of their lives. "I am here tonight to witness how love is really universal. It will continue to shine through all sorts of difficulties, irrespective of nationality, uniforms or rank. "

Testimonials such as these, along with the visual strength coming from the photographic collection of 'Story of Friendship', delivered with considerable effectiveness the objective that inspired the entire project. As pointed out by the organizer, Angelo Iudice, Stories of Friendship aims to preserve the memory of a great cultural and humanitarian heritage in such a way as to be able to transmit its teachings and values to new generations."

Several cultural and political personalities were among the audience including the Director of the Royal Photographic Society, Michael Pritchard, Mayors Theresa Debono (Islington), Richard Field (Wandsworth) and The Viscountess Hambleden, Lady Maria Carmela Attolico Countess of Adelfia. 

Stories of Friendship

Museum of the Order of St John

St John’s Gate

London

EC1M 4DA

From 24 July to 29 August