The “mockery” of the Teatro Goldoni is perhaps the most famous operation carried out by the partisan movement of Venice.
From the testimony of Giuseppe Turcato:
At 9.16 pm Arcalli, Padoan, Chinello, masked and weapons in hand, came into the limelight and held rallies. “No one moves! If there is a spy and fascist traitor in the theatre it turns out that he will receive partisan lead” was shouted inside by Citton’s voice. Chinello put himself in the center of the limelight (the lights had been turned on) and addressed to the audience the word of incitement:
” Venetians, the last quarter of an hour for Hitler and the fascist traitors is about to strike. Fight with us for the cause of national liberation and for the definitive crushing of Nazi fascism. Liberation is near! Huddle around the Committee of National Liberation and the flags of the heroic partisans fighting for the freedom of Italy from the Nazi-fascist yoke.
Ladies and gentlemen, good evening and goodbye.”
G. Turcato, A. Zanon Dal Bo (ed.), 1943-1945. Venezia nella Resistenza , Comune di Venezia, Venezia, 1976, p. 255
