Foggia gay pride

A long, colourful wave of people have crossed Foggia yesterday.

The rally starts at 5.30 pm.

At that time the sun hammers in the head.

Therefore, I arrive in Foggia at 7.

The day is still bright.

The city centre is plenty of people who look forward to view the colourful wave of Lesbians, Gay, Bisex and Trans (LGBT).

The Gay Pride took place the first time in 1969, in New York City.

At that time, the police raids against the LGBT movement were habitual in the States.

However, the 28^th of June 1969, the LGBT undertook a series of violent, spontaneous demonstrations which went down in history as the Stonewall riots.

Since then, LGBT movement has stood up for their rights.

Without any doubt, a lot has been achieved from that moment on.

Let’s just remind the Irish referendum on the same-sex marriage held on the 22^nd of May.

Nevertheless, it’s still not enough.

A lot still needs to be done, especially in countries like Italy, which political agenda is influenced by the Vatican on subjects such as civil rights.

Yesterday, I recognised among the demonstrators Michele Emiliano, president of the Apulian region, and Antonio De Caro, Mayor of Bari.

Leonardo Palmisano from SEL (a left-wing political party) points out: “I dedicate this gay pride to the immigrants, who collect tomatoes around Foggia for just a bunch of euros. We must bear in mind that rights are interlaced”. 

Silvia di Liddo and Caterina Mattia, members of Movimento studentesco Link affirm: “we point the finger against the national media, TV in primis, who are responsible for distorting the truth”. 

Giulia Mucelli from GAL Meridaunia states that Monti Dauni are gay friendly, therefore, anyone who wants travel around this amazing part of Apulia is very welcome.

Among the participants, I wish to mention a Dutch guy, who has got married with a guy from Manfredonia (my hometown!) met in Bologna.

He looks quite happy to be here and share his love story with others.

Peace&Love


PS.
Please click here, should you wish to view more pics

art made in Altamura

A couple of days ago, while walking along C.so Federico II di Svevia in Altamura, I came across Stefania Digioia, a young local painter.

Stefania is a talented artist. 

She holds a permanent exhibition in her shop called laboratorio SD.

It seems to me that Stefania has got inspired by the so-called street art.

“You know” I confess “when I first saw the Banksy’s works, I felt shivers down my back”.

Stefania has attended the Liceo artistico “Carlo Levi” in Matera. 

Then, she got the degree in Accademia di Belle Arti of Rome.

“I have won two grants” Stefania says “the first allowed me to visit the Biennale in Venice. The second one  to travel to Berlin, of which I have visited musuems and gallery.”.

She adds: “I am very much interested in people, especially those who have suffered for their sexual orientation, like the LGBT".

Stefania loves her roots. She enjoys to live in the south of Italy: “the quality of life here is high compared to big cities such as Rome or Milan”.

The painted chairs are one of her most successful works.

“From my point of view, the chair is one of the symbol of the south. People still use to sit down on the chair outdoor, either on balcony or just outside the courtyard”. Stefania explains.

Stefania is very much appreciated by foreigner buyers.

As result of this, she will likely move to Matera, a city which is just 10 miles far. 

Actually, Matera is becoming one of the main Italian touristic destination, having recently been designated as European capital of culture 2019.

The leitmotiv of her artistic research is memory.

Stefania reveals: “I went to Auschwitz to make a photo-reportage, even though I have never published or shared those pictures because I felt overwhelmed”.

Stefania believes that there is a lot of to do in our communities, especially dealing with teenagers, who look nowadays completely disoriented.

I ask her what is the secret of happiness. She thinks about it for a while, then, with a smile painted on her face she replies : “Surely, rushing to make money brings to the opposite direction of happiness”.

How true is her statement...

If you wish to find out more about Stefania, please visit her website