ITALY 28 December 2008 Catastrophic Straits of Messina earthquake centenary spotlights scandal, bridge

Some 80,000 Calabrians and Sicilians died at 5:21 am on 28 Dec 1908, more than half the population of the region, following an earthquake and tsunami in the Straits of Messina. The centenary can be counted on to spotlight a situation described as a scandal — the 3,336 shacks thrown together by survivors after the most destructive earthquake in recorded European history. Still occupied, they have outlasted a king, a dictator, two world war and 61 different governments. It will also spotlight continuing debate about the cost and wisdom of the planned bridge linking earthquake-prone Sicily and Calabria, the toe of mainland Italy's boot.

Though the occupants are taxpaying workers, according to reports, they are forced to kill mice in their vermin-infested shacks with spoons.

The Straits of Messina Bridge project was launched by the center-right government, dropped when it lost power in 2006 and picked up again when it regained power in May. The 2-mile structure will be the world's longest suspension bridge. Fears of seismic catastrophe persist.

The Ministery for Cultural Activities financed a National Committee for commemorations that are divided into five subjects. The second, “Science and Hearthquake,” explores a topic started four years ago by Professor Calogero Ciaccio, director of the“Banca del cordone ombelicale of Sciacca in Sicily,” and biologist Michela Gesù. They discovered that the earthquake of 1908 caused a permanent genetic mutation in people that were living there and it is possible to see this mutation in the DNA of subsequent generations.

The main events are set for 27-29 Dec. They include a memorial of earthquake victims on stage, a Requiem composed for the occasion, and the unveiling of monument commemorating the help offered by the Russian Navy. The Italian State President, Giorgio Napolitano, will visit Messina and Reggio Calabria on 28 Dec.

Outside Italy, Gens Italica Network, an association of Italians abroad, wants to remember the tragedy. In cooperation with Columbus Citizens Foundation of New York and the American Navy, the network organized an itinerant exhibit that will be presented in New York during the Columbus Day of October in the Navy stand in Grand Central Station. Jun/08

RELATED LINKS:

Municipalities of Reggio Calabria and Messina:
http://www.comune.reggio-calabria.it/
http://www.comune.messina.it/

Italy wants to bridge Sicily with mainland (Spiegel 28 May 2008)
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,556118,00.html

A Focus on Times Online
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/system/topicRoot/Messina_Earthquake/

History in Italian
http://italya.net/hipparcos/TerremotoSiciliaCalabria1908.htm