On April 16, 2025, a poignant commemoration took place in Rome, marking the 52nd anniversary of the tragic Strage di Primavalle, where two young brothers, Virgilio and Stefano Mattei, lost their lives in a politically motivated arson attack. The event, attended by prominent political figures and family members of the victims, served as a solemn reminder of the violence that once plagued Italy during the Anni di piombo, or Years of Lead.
At the heart of the commemoration was a newly inaugurated mural dedicated to the Mattei brothers, created by artist Massimiliano Carli, known as Negus. The mural, located on the facade of the Mattei family home on Via Bernardo da Bibbiena, depicts the smiling faces of Virgilio, 22, and Stefano, 10, against the backdrop of the Italian flag, symbolizing both their innocence and the national tragedy that unfolded on that fateful day in 1973.
The ceremony was initiated by Ignazio La Russa, the President of the Senate, who laid a wreath in honor of the boys. La Russa reflected on the impact of the tragedy, stating, "I knew their father, I knew their mother; I was there during those days, and I know how we lived it. This mural is a testimony that not only we now, but everyone can have this memory. It is very important, not for us, but for everyone. For pacification, for a sentiment that must unite not only towards them but towards all the boys and whatever ideas they may have had that led them to give their lives, consciously or, like them, innocently and unconsciously."
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also took to social media to honor the Mattei brothers, emphasizing the moral responsibility to remember them. She wrote, "Stefano and Virgilio Mattei were burned alive in their home. Two innocent boys, killed by ideological fury and political hatred. Remembering them today is not only a moral duty: it is an act of justice towards the truth and towards history. Because nothing can be built on hatred. And because certain horrors must never happen again. We must not forget."
At the ceremony, Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli echoed these sentiments, stating, "Today we are here for remembrance, a rite that has always been repeated. We witness a shared rite by the highest institutions of Rome and Italy, surrounding the memory of a horrible massacre for which justice has yet to be served. If the goddess of Justice could speak to us, she would tell us she has not found peace and will never find it. However, she finds comfort in knowing we are here, as institutions and as a community. Hundreds of thousands of Italians are reflecting on what has happened. Today we are hundreds of thousands of Mattei brothers."
The tragic events of April 16, 1973, saw the home of Mario Mattei, the local secretary of the Movimento Sociale Italiano, set ablaze by members of the far-left group Potere Operaio. The attack resulted in the deaths of his two sons, Virgilio and Stefano, leaving an indelible mark on the collective memory of the Italian people. The commemoration served not only to honor their memory but also to underscore the importance of rejecting violence and hatred in all forms.
Roberto Gualtieri, the Mayor of Rome, also paid tribute to the Mattei brothers, stating, "On the anniversary of the Strage di Primavalle, Rome remembers with emotion Stefano and Virgilio Mattei, two young lives cut short in a tragedy that profoundly marked our city. It is the duty of all to preserve the memory of that drama, rejecting every form of political hatred and violence. In this spirit, I also want to remember the work of Walter Veltroni, who as mayor promoted a path of reconciliation and shared memory, fundamental for a more united and aware city. Rome does not forget."
During the ceremony, Antonella, the sister of the Mattei brothers, expressed her deep emotions, stating, "It is a very important day. We have suffered for 52 years, and today all the institutions return to this sad and painful place where this beautiful mural stands, bringing Stefano and Virgilio home, as if they were given another chance."
The mural not only serves as a tribute to the Mattei brothers but also as a reminder of the need for reconciliation and healing within a society that has seen its share of political violence. As the community gathered to honor the past, the hope for a future free from such tragedies lingered in the air.
In a city still healing from the scars of its violent history, events like this serve as vital reminders of the importance of memory, justice, and unity. The legacy of Virgilio and Stefano Mattei continues to resonate, urging the current and future generations to reflect on the past and strive for a more peaceful future.
