Matite per Riace

Matite per Riace (2018)

Illustrators and comic artists in support of the Riace Model (2018)

Mimmo Lucano, mayor of Riace and parliamentarian, is renowned for the “Modello Riace,” a project that transformed his town into a place of welcome for refugees and migrants, promoting social and economic integration. Despite past legal charges and difficulties, Lucano continues to fight for a just and humane system of reception, defending the rights of migrants.

In 2018, I participated in the collective exhibition “Matite per Riace,” organized by Caracol Art Gallery and Recosol, in support of his cause. The event brought together artists to express solidarity with the project, using art as a means to raise public awareness about the importance of integration and the rights of migrants.

This cause tackles crucial issues such as the depopulation of Southern Italy, a consequence of significant emigration to the North and abroad, driven by a lack of adequate infrastructure and difficulties in the labor market for southern Italians. The situation is further complicated by governments’ inability to manage both internal emigration and poverty in the South constructively and foresightedly, as well as the poor management of migrant flows in Italy and Europe. Lucano’s initiative represents a concrete attempt to address these problems by creating an alternative that promotes inclusivity, solidarity, and local development.

Ultimately, my participation in this exhibition was a personal way to actively contribute to a cause I consider vital, expressing my commitment to a more inclusive and humane future.