Gilberto Salmoni

Gilberto Salmoni was a prominent Italian Holocaust survivor and a powerful voice for memory and civil rights. Born in 1926, he was arrested at the age of 16 while attempting to flee to Switzerland with his family. He was imprisoned in the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp, where he endured brutal conditions and lost his parents and sister to the Auschwitz extermination camp. After World War II, Salmoni dedicated his life to educating future generations about the horrors of the Holocaust and the importance of freedom and tolerance. He served as the honorary president of the National Association of Former Deportees from Nazi Camps (ANED) in Liguria and received numerous accolades for his contributions to the remembrance of the Shoah. His commitment to preserving history and advocating for democracy made him a beloved figure in Italy, culminating in the awarding of the 'Grifo d'Oro' by the Mayor of Genoa shortly before his passing at the age of 97 in February 2026.