last meeting at the Italian Pavilion on culture that unites

At the Buchmesse 2024, the last meeting at the Arena in Piazza Italiana, designed by Stefano Boeri Interiors for the Italian Pavilion Guest of Honour, featured the patriarch of Venice Monsignor Francesco Moraglia, president of the Episcopal Conference of the Triveneto and author of numerous publications and Rav Scialom Bahbout, former chief rabbi in Naples, Bologna and Venice, in the meeting “The culture that unites. Religion and roots” moderated by journalist Nico Spuntoni.

At the center of the discussion are the twenty years of the European Constitution and in the background, reflections and assessments on the right balance between tradition and modernity. “Religions create culture. The Judeo-Christian roots are not required in the constitution as a cultural fact that arises from the Jewish and Christian religious experience – begins the Patriarch of Venice Moraglia – At a time when Europe is becoming multi-ethnic and multi-religious we should find a glue that respects everyone . Europe was born as a Judeo-Christian reality where the person is highlighted. The secular values ​​that arise from the person are capable of generating a version in which different faiths and cultures must find respect for the person. Accepting this, I say it as a cultural offer, would have helped to find a bond today.”

“It is a historical fact that Judaism and Christianity have made European history. Denying this truth is denying a fact – Bahbout’s thought – Denying the presence, the importance of what was Jewish culture in Europe, denies the whole of Christian culture. The Judeo-Christian roots have meaning and must be kept in mind. At the book fair it is important to reflect on what contribution we can make to spiritual rebirth – says Bahbout – The classic book of Judaism is the Pentateuch which, to be read in community, must be written by hand with understandable letters. The book must not remain silent, it must speak. Every generation in Jewish history has read the book and given it a different interpretation. It would be important, even at school, not simply to read a text, but to try to interpret and discuss it. It would be useful to teach how to ask questions.”

“I believe the book has its own creative origin – says Moraglia – It is not surprising that the Bible is the most read and translated book. The divine spark that inhabits man generates other books that try to give fundamental answers. The book is still fundamental in the society we live in. The book is something that creates the community according to a different depth and responsibility for what we say and write”, underlines the Patriarch.