Community initiatives in Nardò, Italy, are focusing on the human dimensions of migration through public discussions and artistic exhibitions.
A public meeting titled ‘Migrants, faces, stories and hopes’ is scheduled for September 29, 2026, at the Sala del Chiostro dei Carmelitani. Organized by the Basilica Cattedrale di Nardò and the association Farsi Solidali OdV, the event aims to connect the Pope’s message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees with local realities. The program includes a presentation on the Pope’s pastoral call by Don Amleto Provenzano and an analysis of migration data and challenges in Puglia by Professor Antonio Ciniero from the University of Salento.
Additionally, the exhibition ‘The chaos crossed my gaze’ is being held at the municipal palace, featuring eighteen stories from young people who arrived in Italy seeking hope. These autobiographical accounts, developed through Italian language courses, explore themes of war, separation, and the process of building a new life in an unfamiliar city. The narratives were presented in various original languages, including Yoruba, Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Spanish, Amharic, Punjabi, and Persian.