To the monograph's contents
Asmara & Carrara
Chapter 1

Lucia's Lives

Lucia, a widow with two children under the age of five, Lina and Andrea, leaves Eritrea for a life as a refugee in Sudan. Lina and Andrea attend the boarding school led by Italian and English nuns there; Lucia finds employment with an English family and thus begins her hard life. She will not return to free and independent Eritrea until 1991, when she begins her life with her Eritrean family. The life of Lucia encompasses multiple stories of different stages of her life at home and abroad.

Lucia’s autobiography Providence, RI, 2005

On her last visit to Providence, we ask Lina’s mother Lucia to talk about her life. It turns out to be the beginning of a documentary film and this digital book.

Lucia’s autobiography (expanded version) Providence, 2005

Lucia talks about living Asmara after her husband Silvio’s death, her life in the Sudan, and her return to independent Eritrea in 1992.

Lucia’s sudden passing away in 2011 takes us back to Asmara

Lina, Andrea, and Akos travel to Asmara to make the funeral arrangements. A procession follows with hundreds of participants and a final internment in the civilian cemetery of Asmara near her husband Silvio's resting place.

Lucia’s funeral and resting place in photographs

Lucia's casket is mounted in the house with family and close friends mourning and remembering. A brief funerary rite is performed by the priests of her parish church, Saint Antonio. A procession follows to the cemetery. A year later Lucia's marble gravestone is complete.

Andrea, Lucia’s son, talks about what his mother’s life means to him

After the funeral, back in Providence, Andrea speaks in tears about the lives his mother touched despite the great difficulties she faced throughout her life.

Andrea Fruzzetti talks about the ways his mother shaped his life

A recognition dawns on Andrea, how his mother meant many things to many people.

Lina, Lucia’s daughter, talks about her mother’s legacy Providence, March 2023

Twelve years after her mother's passing, Lina's memories are still vivid and clear. She is able to place the meaning of her mother's actions into many different contexts ranging from the local to the global.

Akos Ostor talks about Lucia Providence, April 2023

Akos, Lucia's son-in-law, brings a different perspective that is both familial as well as impartial ranging from the personal to the societal.

Sohair Mbeng on her life growing up like a daughter in Lucia Sudanese compound Providence, March 2023

Sohair, raised by Lucia from the age of five, talks about her life growing up in the Sudan. She reflects on her happy childhood and eventual travel to America for further studies, where she settles.

Sohair recognizes the value Lucia put on education Providence, March 2023

Sohair is one of many children who at Lucia's insistence had their schooling in the Sudan, she is the only one to go abroad to further her studies. She recognizes Lucia's achievements in business and politics in a world dominated by men, with national and international repercussions.

Authors’ Comments

Resources

About this Monograph
About the Authors
Comprehensive Bibliography
Database for this Monograph
Eritrean and Italian Colonial History
Acknowledgements