Is it possible to have a different idea of Lampedusa and spread it around the world? Magnificent island, but media appeal for the landings of migrants and for the political battle for or against. The civil society does not give up, of commitment, solidarity, culture and art to make the best aspirations of the Pelagie island coexist alongside the dramatic current situation. At the end of the summer, from 27 to 29 September, there will be the Lampedusa Festival, a festival of art and dialogue on human rights and environmental protection. The announcement of the Festival in the southernmost island of Europe takes place in these days of solemn government calls for the resumption of an Italian path for the climate and the environment. The island is a constant theme of anti-immigrant positions, so much so that the other day Mayor Salvatore Martello rejected former Minister Matteo Salvini: "Salvini was not a good minister for Lampedusa". Beyond the propaganda, ideas will be given on hospitality, on the role of art, of culture so as not to keep the name of the island tied only to the landings.
The Festival has reached its 2nd edition on the initiative of the young people of the Lampaethusa Association, with the organization of Lampedusa Tourist Hub and Ondemotive Productions and the artistic direction of Luca Vullo, a multifaceted artist engaged in various cultural activities. A party that through the organization of artistic and cultural events wants to enhance the beauty of this magical place and its people , explain the promoters. The symbolic role of reception assumed by Lampedusa in recent years is enhanced and to create a positive and constructive meeting place between the Mediterranean countries. First of all cinema, to tell the importance of respecting and supporting human rights and the most ancient traditions. But also theatre, street art, books, debates with experts who will meet in suggestive places on the island. Among those natural and landscape beauties hidden in the thousands of TV services on migrants. In the days of the Festival they will be the setting for valuable themes.
The Festival project is headed by the Lampedusa Tourist Hub which also organized Lampedusa Today. Then there are Nuovo Service, a local company and Ondemotive Productions Ltd, a film and theater production company based in London. In the organization there is no shortage of the Municipalities of Lampedusa and Linosa, national and regional associations which all together, in addition to art and the environment, spoke of human values and respect. “That respect that can only be realized if plural, if performed together, if positively contagious”. The Pelagie Islands have once again been overrun by thousands of tourists this year, who appreciate the habitat and the area cared for by local organizations, volunteers and associations. The end-of-the-month Festival becomes the heritage of this fabric of solidarity which in the last year attempts have been made to mortify with questionable actions and measures. Six years ago Pope Francis landed in Lampedusa and on 29 September on the occasion of the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, he will celebrate a Mass in St. Peter's Square. A significant coincidence with the final day of the Festival.
