The exhibition, which is located in the city's modern-history museum, tells the story of the WWII Resistance Movement.
The exhibition's organizers wanted to show all aspects of the Resistance Movement's history. The exhibition shows the struggle of anti-Nazi guerrillas in different European countries, the activities of undercover organizations, acts of civil disobedience and forced emigration, as well as efforts to tell the truth about Nazi crimes and to expose their man-hating ideology.
For instance, a special section deals with BBC, Voice of America and Radio Moscow propaganda broadcasts meant for the German armed forces and occupied European countries during WWII.
This exhibition was prepared by 33 museums and research centers from 14 European countries, including Russia.
"Our display aimed to show life in Leningrad that was besieged by the Nazis for 900 days," Irina Muravieva, scientific-section chief at St. Petersburg's Leningrad-defense museum, told RIA Novosti. Muravieva supervised the organization of the Russian exposition in Milan.
According to Muravieva, "the small number of our exhibits made it difficult to show the unbroken resistance spirit of Leningrad residents."
The list of exhibits from St. Petersburg includes blockade rations, a soldier's letter folded in the form of a triangle, a tobacco pouch, an iron heater and sleds that carried water from the Neva river in winter.
"However, the current generation of Italians will not comprehend them completely," Muravieva noted.
"Meanwhile everyone will understand our war-time posters and military awards, including a medal "For the Defense of Leningrad". Everyone understands the photo of a child, who died of hunger in besieged Leningrad, and his toys that are kept at our museum," she noted.
