Italy
AA-2026-32DC4B
On the image
A group of schoolchildren, mostly in matching white smocks, are being directed by a nun through a parking area. The era of organised group outings for children meant strict sartorial expectations, designed to project an image of order and collective purpose to the casual observer. The nun's presence ensures that any deviation from the designated path would be met with swift, disapproving silence.
Several large tour buses await, ready to transport the children to whatever educational or character-building destination was deemed appropriate for the day. This requires an almost military-grade operation to load and unload small humans, a task that has remained largely unchanged despite technological advances. A parked BMW, sporting Swiss plates, adds an international flair to an otherwise very local scene.
The children, herded forward, carry the universal expression of participants in a mandatory group activity. They understand that compliance now will eventually lead to something less structured, or at least a snack, which is the actual reward for good behaviour in these situations.
The historian's note
This image captures a typical school excursion in Italy during the 1970s, a period when educational institutions, often affiliated with religious orders, frequently organised group outings for their students. The presence of a nun supervising the children highlights the significant role of religious women in education and social welfare in Italy during this era.
The vehicles visible, including a first-generation Volkswagen Golf (introduced 1974), a BMW 02 Series (such as the 1600 model indicated on the car, produced until 1975), and Mercedes-Benz O 302-type buses, firmly place the photograph in the mid-1970s. The Swiss licence plate (CH GR) on the BMW suggests either cross-border travel or a tourist presence in the Italian town.
Such excursions were a common part of the curriculum, intended to provide cultural enrichment and foster social cohesion amongst students, often involving visits to historical sites, museums, or local attractions.
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Schoolchildren and Nun on Excursion, Italy, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-32DC4B. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/schoolchildren-and-nun-on-excursion-italy-1970s.
@misc{aaAA202632DC4B,
title = {Schoolchildren and Nun on Excursion, Italy, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-32DC4B},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/schoolchildren-and-nun-on-excursion-italy-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Schoolchildren and Nun on Excursion, Italy, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-32DC4B UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/schoolchildren-and-nun-on-excursion-italy-1970s ER -
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