Contributo di
Elena Matos
Memories from
Renzo
I am sending some personal
memories. I don´t know if they can be interesting for other people.
Best regards. Elena
I met Renzo the first time in
Perugia, a satellite meeting for Chemical Carcinogenesis at the International
Cancer Congress in Firenze, in 1974. I was very young, it was my first
international meeting.
I knew his name from the papers. We talk several times. He was so accessible!
I remember he invited me to visit the IARC, in Lyon. I did so after
the meeting, and it was my first time at the Agency.
I had to meet him in his office. I arrived 3 minutes before the fixed
time. I still can see him. He watched his clock, then he looked at me,
smiled, and told me: “I told you at five, is five less three minutes...”.We
started talking, and we talk for several hours. He gave me his second
book:"Visto dall'interno". I
started reading it when I arrived at the hotel, and I did not stop until
I finished it. I wanted to translate it in Buenos Aires, but when I
came back my life was a mess. So, the translation never came up.
In 1978 it was held the International Cancer Congress in Buenos Aires.
We were under the military process, people were missing. It was an international
boycott and international recommendations to the scientist not to come.
He wrote to me asking if it could help to come. I told him yes. He came.
We met different people trying to get information. I did not know how
dangerous it was. He got a list of missing people and took it with him.
I remember I was standing at the airport saying good by and hoping he
could pass with the papers. I can still see him.
He published an article in SAPERE, No 815, and December 1978. Pag 34-39.
The article name is: "Diario di un soggiorno in Argentina”.
It explains his position, his discussions with other scientists, his
personal experience in Buenos Aires and includes a list of missing people.
We see each other many times
more. He invited me for dinner in Lyon, in Rome, where he made me eat
for the first time fiore de zucca...in the old Jewish neighbourhood...He
and Paolo, his son, having dinner at my flat in Lyon, together with
my children...he was sitting under a lamp that is now at my home, in
Buenos Aires. Every time I look at it I remember he was claiming that
was very hot under it...
But you know...he is not more
here...I will never receive another mail “it is a long time I
don’t know anything about you and your children" ... It hurts...I
am crying...
Elena
Matos
Buones Aires, Argentina
