Heritage

60 heritage for peace and reconciliation | manual for teacherContentsmember the tragedy. On 8 October 2011, carabinieri from Genoa discovered theTransylvania off the coast of the Ligurian island of Bergeggi, close to Savona, Italy, at adepth of 630 metres. The wreck has become home to a rare white coral.Following the discovery of the wreck, a commemoration was held in memory of thevictims in Finalborgo, Italy. The event was attended by Italian, English, Japanese andGerman military and government representatives. It was accompanied by hauntingtrumpet music and described as festive, yet was overwhelmingly emotional. It is hardto imagine a better example of the power of reconciliation than this one provided byunderwater cultural heritage.tt Teaching tipThe wreck of USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor – A Story of ReconciliationThe traces of past wars and battles can become the setting for reconciliation. One ofthe most powerful examples is the sunken battleship USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor,Hawaii, USA. Struck by aerial bombs during the Japanese attack on 7 December1941, the Arizona exploded, killing 1,177 of its crew. It was the single greatest loss oflife in that brief surprise attack that brought the United States into the Second WorldWar. Half submerged and burning for two days, the wreck of the Arizona became amuch photographed symbol for a nation calling for revenge. The image was used tospur troops into action during America’s subsequent war in the Pacific, with the slogan‘Remember Pearl Harbor!’The wreck was too badly damaged to be raised, and after the war its battered hulk becamethe basis for a monument and memorial that has since been visited by millions.As time has passed, despite the powerful passions of the time and lingering Americananger over the Japanese surprise attack, the Arizona and its memorial have become aplace for reconciliation. Japanese visitors have come to pay their respects, includingveterans of the war and families of Japanese soldiers and sailors who also lost theirlives in the war.James Delgado, Director of Maritime Heritage for NOAA, 7 USA, explains his experienceof reconciliation related to the Arizona:7 National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.