Gabriele Moreno Locatelli
Encyclopedia
Gabriele Moreno Locatelli (1959 – October 3, 1993) was an Italian
pacifist
. He was killed by a hidden marksman
during the Bosnian War
.
. He engaged very fast in diverse actions to help the most discriminated by Italy. He was a student in theology
and literature
. A selection of his poetry and papers are included in the La mia strada book.
military in delivering food and clothing, and bring water and assistance to elderly and sick civilians in Sarajevo during the siege of Sarajevo
. Locatelli was shot and killed by a sniper
while crossing the Vrbanja bridge
with four other peace activists and a peace flag in his hands.
Locatelli's story inspired director Giancarlo Bocchi for the documentary "Death of a Pacifist" (1995).
The song "Bread and Peace" is also based on Locatelli's death.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
pacifist
Pacifism
Pacifism is the opposition to war and violence. The term "pacifism" was coined by the French peace campaignerÉmile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress inGlasgow in 1901.- Definition :...
. He was killed by a hidden marksman
Marksman
A marksman is a person who is skilled in precision, or a sharpshooter shooting, using projectile weapons, such as with a rifle but most commonly with a sniper rifle, to shoot at long range targets...
during the Bosnian War
Bosnian War
The Bosnian War or the War in Bosnia and Herzegovina was an international armed conflict that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina between April 1992 and December 1995. The war involved several sides...
.
Biography
He was described as a sensitive and generous young man. He was a CatholicCatholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
. He engaged very fast in diverse actions to help the most discriminated by Italy. He was a student in theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
. A selection of his poetry and papers are included in the La mia strada book.
Death
Locatelli had joined the Beati i Costruttori di Pace (Blessed are the Peacemakers), a Catholic aid organization. The organization was there to deliver mail, assist the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
military in delivering food and clothing, and bring water and assistance to elderly and sick civilians in Sarajevo during the siege of Sarajevo
Siege of Sarajevo
The Siege of Sarajevo is the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare. Serb forces of the Republika Srpska and the Yugoslav People's Army besieged Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 5 April 1992 to 29 February 1996 during the Bosnian War.After Bosnia...
. Locatelli was shot and killed by a sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
while crossing the Vrbanja bridge
Vrbanja bridge
Vrbanja bridge is the old name of the Suada Dilberović and Olga Sučić bridge in Sarajevo. The name of the bridge was changed after Suada Dilberović and Olga Sučić, were shot, as the first victims at the beginning of the Siege of Sarajevo....
with four other peace activists and a peace flag in his hands.
International response
The international community was outraged by the killing. The day after his death, the Sarajevo daily Oslobodenje was prudently titled "Incident at Vrbanja," while the Italian newspapers headlines included "Pacifist Italian killed by Serb snipers." In Sarajevo, he is honored as a hero, an Italian martyr among many Bosnians. There were controversies about the way the Italian press covered the incident.Locatelli's story inspired director Giancarlo Bocchi for the documentary "Death of a Pacifist" (1995).
The song "Bread and Peace" is also based on Locatelli's death.