Zanzi Vittorio & Serafina

Varoli, Luigi Varoli, Anna Zanzi, Vittorio Zanzi, Serafina From September 1943 until the spring of 1945, Cotignola (Ravenna province) became a haven for political fugitives, army deserters and Jews. Two families stand out in the help they provided: the Varolis and the Zanzis, who saved many Jews. The main figure in this successful rescue network was the mayor of Cotignola, Vittorio Zanzi, who was a butcher by trade. His right-hand in this endeavor was Prof. Luigi Varoli. On October 20, 1943, after a denunciation, the Germans surrounded the villa of Dr. Guido Ottolenghi’s family, consisting of eight members, in Porto Corsini (Ravenna jurisdiction). He was a Jew and an underground activist. The Germans searched unsuccessfully for hidden weapons, and then confiscated the villa. The family, however, managed to escape to Ravenna where they were assisted by its anti-Fascist network. From there, they went to Cotignola, since friends had assured them that they would be protected there. The family was warmly welcomed by Prof. Luigi Varoli and his wife Anna. Guido remained for more than six months hidden in the Varolis’ house in a secret room in the attic. The rest of the family was accompanied one rainy night in November 1943, by Vittorio Zanzi, to Maria and Luigia Tampieri’s secluded house. Vittorio also produced fake documents, identity cards and ration tickets for these wards and for many other Jews in hiding in Cotignola, such as Giuseppe and Ettore Lopes Pegna from Bologna and Mirella Zuckermann (later, Ben Zimra) under the name Mirella Zucca. Nevertheless, the Germans discovered Vittorio Zanzi’s activities and arrested him on May 17, 1944 in Ravenna. He was, however, released after 43 days. Neither Vittorio Zanzi nor Luigi Varoli expected honors for their noble wartime deeds. After the war, Zanzi got back his position and Varoli, too, resumed his previous occupation. In 1987, the municipality of Cotignola inaugurated a park, dedicated to memory andsolidarity. On one monument that was erected there appear the names of 40 survivors, and on the other, the names of 26 Cotignola rescuers, headed by the Zanzis and the Varolis. As a token of gratitude and honor, the survivors also planted 500 trees in Israel in a park of the Jewish National Fund (KKL). On March 25, 2002, Yad Vashem recognized Luigi and Anna Varoli and Vittorio and Serafina Zanzi as Righteous Among the Nations.