The decision to join LANDING was fast: wanting to feel part of a group thinking, critical to the current situation in Italy, a land that I feel undernourished, dry, in decline. The first meeting was in Barcelona just as I had imagined: living faces, curious eyes, open hearts, as if you already know.
Boarding was a bit 'surreal: in single file, chanting "Hello Beautiful", going up one by one on the ship, complete with a photo of welcome, and many eyes peering from above. People from Tangier, in transit, for the umpteenth time to the coveted Europe.
As Amin, who lives in Verona for 12 years, and who returns to Italy after three months of vacation in Morocco, in search of work. He says that now the situation is difficult in Italy, and that if you can not find work in the coming months, he'll go to Germany from relatives. It 's very strange compared to our massive presence on the ship, about 400 people . Asks many questions, want to know what we are doing is happy to discuss with us and to have a diversion in this long journey so many times monotonously.
spend the evening with music, dances, speeches, in perfect harmony among all people from Tangier, people from Barcelona and crew.
The next morning, the voice of Andrea , the creator of The Landing, enter into all the cabins for calling: it is time to start the discussions and activities.
On the bridge were set up many wooden toys, hand-built by a signore di Firenze. Intrattengono un numero considerevole di bambini. Se la sera prima avevamo incontrato solo uomini da Tangeri, ora la nave ospita anche tante donne e bambini. Si gioca, si dipinge, si parla, si sta insieme.
Intanto nelle sale interne si tengono dibattiti sull’ACQUA e sulle MIGRAZIONI. Nella sala cinema si susseguono video e documentari. La compagnia della nave, “Grandi Navi Veloci”, ha messo a disposizione de Lo Sbarco tutti gli spazi comuni, gratuitamente.
Un momento forte รจ stato il minuto di silenzio delle 13.00 in ricordo di tutte le persone risucchiate dal Mediterraneo, stop forzato al loro agognato viaggio verso la Fortezza Europa. Silenzio profondo, fiori arancioni at sea, and as if by magic after a few dolphins began to jump, perhaps a sign of solidarity with the innocent victims.
More poignant moment was the final General Assembly. All together on the deck, sbarchini and migrants, children and adults, reviewing all the stages of landing, the impeccable storyteller Andrea, ironic and profound. From an idea had on a scooter during a day like many others, has been set in motion a machine giant International , from Barcelona to Brussels, Milan and Turin to Paris, from Old Bussana in London. Children, the youngest of seven months, young people and adults together, united to say no to an Italy closed xenophobic, intolerant and censurante , and to give a sign of strength and hope.
In Genoa the reception is noisy, dynamics. The Mayor of Genoa is present. The parade to the Old Port is a long and peaceful. Eventually, in the square, still sharing a stage and music.
spend the night with my fellow travelers Elena, Tullia and Luis Franco's house, dear lady of Genoa has offered to host us. In fact the city is well organized to offer the best to sbarchini. Many volunteers have organized the warmth, hospitality and logistics of everything. Local institutions have collaborated since the beginning, giving all the necessary permits to occupy the public land.
In fact Sunday was dedicated to life on the streets, squares, 5 SQUARES RIGHTS , inspired by the fact many members of the landing. Some people are there on purpose, there are those who get involved in curiosity, there are those who take us for fools.
"Our" square, where the SSP is an active participant in the network, is the SQUARE DIFFERENCES . The place could not be more appropriate: Commenda Square, facing the sea, at the end of an alley totally "different" shops from everywhere, including Senegal, China and Ecuador. In Genoa, a city of sea, landings and exchange, foreign communities are many and numerous.
The square successive speeches, testimonies, music, poetry. Our network has the opportunity to exchange ideas and problems with the French network "Education Without Borders" , actually very active and recognized in France for his action in defending the rights of "sans papiers".
Finally, the last meeting in Piazza Matteotti, for the greetings and closing credits. Andrea has the floor again and not get tired of remembering the many people who have invested for free to the success of this great and innovative event , symbolic but very significant . A wind start consciences and brains to think, to hear another voice, to arouse curiosity and perhaps awaken slumbering heads. And if that turns out to be perhaps pretentious Toppo, then look at The Landing as a event of cohesion among those who already pays attention and acts , an event that has brought together Italian and Italian World of Italy to remind us that we many that we are organized and we are strong, we can and must make the voice of another Italy.
Landing was a charge, a push to continue to act during the next year, closer, more united, for an Italy thinking, critical, varied and wise.
roll up our sleeves and set sail.
The sea is rough, but our canoe will prevail.
Valentina Crespo - Association SAMARCANDA
procession to the old port
