Migrants and Mediterranean, the Apulia's answer

The role of Apulia in helping and assisting the new immigrants from Africa is getting bigger and bigger.

The goal is to treat the migrants with humanity and respect.

The exodus has taken place since few years.

Migrants risk their life for a better future.

Sadly, In Italy as well as in Europe, the recent immigration is being tackled by far-right political parties such as Front National in France and Lega Nord in Italy.

Xenophobia and racism seems growing among people.

Therefore, citizens and associations in Brindisi (Cobas, ANPI, Libera, Emergency...), have gathered together in order to give the birth to the Comitato Migranti e Mediterraneo.

The mission of such Comitato is to stay beside the migrants, giving them support.

There is an Apulian motto which says: come tratti vieni trattato. In other words, “what goes around comes around”.

It means that migrants can be a great resource or become a big problem.

If we treat them right we may expect something good from them.

The 13^th of June, the Comitato has met up in San Vito dei Normanni, few miles from Brindisi.

The meeting has been held in the ex-Fadda.

Anna Chiara, spokesperson of the Comitato, says: “racism and xenophobia are inoculated into the national body through TV and newspapers “.

Davide, a Nigerian immigrant who lives in Ostuni, says: “I am a volunteer in the local old folk’s home. Sometime, I arrange with African friends gigs to entertain the local elderly. I have founded an association called Le Monde.

After having listened to Davide, I thought to myself: "Dear Davide, thank you very much".

He continues: “The problem is ignorance. It has happened to me to be called marocchino (Moroccon), even though I’m Nigerian”.

Giovanni, volunteer of Emergency, says that Italy had promulgated years ago a law, named  Bossi-Fini, which introduced the crime of illegal immigration (clandestinità).

The Bossi-Fini law was openly against the principles of International laws.

The Comitato Migranti e Mediterraneo has meet up again the 23^rd of June in Tuturano, a small village close to Brindisi.

the meeting has been held in a villa confiscated years ago to Salvatore Buccarella, a local mafia boss.



The villa currently hosts Asylum seekers and Refugees.

Five Nigerian families have recently been given a flat.

They will be allowed to stay here for 6 or 12 months.

So, the migrants are involved in a project called SPRAR (Sistema di protezione per richiedenti asilo e rifugiati).

The European Union is financing such project to assist migrants on a short-medium term.   

Maurizio Guadalupi, chief of the cooperativa "Solidarietà e Rinnovamento",has invited the associations of Tuturano to join the Comitato in order to arrange a welcome party in honour of the African guests.

The party will be held on the 11th of July.

Red wine, frise and melonata will be offered to those who will attend it.

So, you all are very welcome to join us.


PS.
Please click here, should you wish to view a reportage on the migrants hosted in Taranto

Ostuni, the white city

Ostuni is one of the most beautiful Apulian city.

The main trait of Ostuni is the white of its old buildings.

Therefore, on Sunday morning, Erika, my sister, Lucia and I decide to visit Ostuni, la città bianca.

We pass by S. Vito dei Normanni, which hosts the astonishing crypt of St. Biagio (12^th century).

We agree that it is worth to have a look at it before carrying on.

This crypt was funded by Basilian monks.

Unfortunately, the crypt is not accessible.

An advice hanging on the gate, informs turists to call either the public library (+39 0831 951368) or the tourist office of S. Vito dei Normanni (+39 0831 955236) in order to be allowed to visit it.

We see two more additional tourists hanging around the crypt.

“Good morning” I say “did you schedule a visit to the crypt?” I ask. “No, we did’nt.”. He replies.

He is an architect, who will later confirm the beauty of the frescos painted inside the crypt.

“Unfortunately” the architect adds “the colors are quickly deteriorating due to atmospherical agents.”

So, I schedule a visit to the crypt pretty soon. 

After having talked one hour or even more, we shake hands with the architect and his wife. 

Therefore, we resume our journey to Ostuni.

Ostuni is elegant and plenty of tourists.

I stare after some German tourists lined up walking though narrow streets.

In Ostuni there are many shops which sell sandals.

We end up in a shop named sandalishop.it, which manufactures sandals and bags.

Each of us buy a pair of sandals.

They are not that expensive, though. With less than 30 euros you get a homemade pair of sandals.

The owners, wife-and-husband, are happy of their business: “we sell mainly by internet. Our sandals
are very much appreciated in Israel, USA and Russia”.

They well represent the “made in Italy”.

We walk around the town admiring the artistic city centre.

I’d like to live in one of these narrow streets, where no cars pass by.

I’d like to live in such environment, where I can breath an atmosphere which takes me back centuries ago.

However, we do not find so many people around because it is the controra

controra is the hottest time of the day, soon after lunch.










It is time to rest.

Therefore, we go back home. Ciao


PS.
please click here to view more pics