Bakary is a lad from Mali who crossed the fire \u2013 but it was water, that of the Mediterranean \u2013 to get to Italy in 2014. I realise that we are no longer talking of a play in the theatre (the scene of the flames comes from Enea\u2019s Journey<\/strong>, a drama directed by Emanuela Giordano<\/strong>, which was performed at the Argentina Theatre until a few days ago), but of real life. \u201cComing here on that boat from Libya is a risk \u2013 <\/em>he explains \u2013 but one worth taking if it\u2019s a route that can offer you the chance of a better life\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n I met Bakary<\/strong>, Lamin<\/strong>, Charles<\/strong>, and Nasir <\/strong>to talk to them about Enea\u2019s Journey<\/strong>, a project promoted by the Theatre of Rome<\/strong>, in partnership with the Liberi Nantes <\/strong>association and Amref Health Africa-Italy<\/strong>. It was the winner of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism\u2019s (MiBACT)<\/strong> MigrArti 2017 <\/strong>competition.<\/p>\n This is an artistic and cultural experiment in areas where the relationship between migrants and the local resident \u201cThere are loads of people who in their own country have studied and can do lots of things. Opportunities need to be created for them, for us\u201d, <\/em>Bakary tells me. In Mali he was (is) an agricultural engineer. \u201cI asked if I could cultivate a small piece of land near the reception centre, to make a vegetable garden. They denied me permission. But doing something has to be better than wandering aimlessly around the city\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI really like the activity of the theatre workshop because, not having a job, it keeps me busy,\u201d, <\/em>Charles echoes. Charles is a Nigerian lad who divides his time between school and church (he\u2019s a Jehovah\u2019s Witness). And the theatre.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s do something together to make this country exceptional\u201d<\/em>, adds Lamin, who arrived in Italy from The Gambia Lamin studied to be a plumber ad would like to have done that in Italy too. He brought his CV, and was even prepared to work for nothing to learn his trade better. But all in vain. Now he is working nights as a receptionist, does other temporary jobs and also studies. His dream is to one day become a chef and have his own restaurant. (\u201cNot right now, though. First I have to learn really well\u201d<\/em>).<\/p>\n The second word \u2013 which in this case rhymes with opportunity \u2013 is TALENT<\/u><\/strong>. \u201cThrough the activity of the theatre It is Bakary who adds further clarity to the concept. \u201cI used to speak rarely; I had a very closed nature. One day I would like to be like them, like the professionals\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n Nasir intervenes. He understands Italian, even if he speaks it little (he is taking the third year in middle school and has done a course to be a welder). Thanks (also) to the theatre, he is making progress with the language and not only: \u201cThis activity has allowed me to know lots of people; I\u2019m no longer shy like I used to be\u201d<\/em>. And as if to prove that he is no longer shy, he asked to put on a little performance with small cymbals (his passion) during the show and to recite a part in his own language.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone who wants to do something and get on in life can\u2019t be timid. I have never been timid. In Nigeria, this word does not exist in the dictionary\u201d<\/em>, Charles replies with a smile, but in an assertive manner.<\/p>\n (Stefano D\u2019Alessio)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The deep night. A few hours earlier, a wild party. Now, you and your bed. And a deep sleep. All of a sudden, everything around you starts to catch fire. What to do? \u201cI...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3064,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,103],"tags":[548,546,136,549,544,545,547],"class_list":["post-3063","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home","category-iniziative","tag-amref-health-africa-italia","tag-enea-in-viaggio","tag-liberi-nantes","tag-mibact","tag-migrarti","tag-teatro","tag-teatro-di-roma"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.liberinantes.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2-150x150.jpg\")
population is complicated. It takes place across three phases:<\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.liberinantes.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/5-150x150.jpg\")
The first word which emerges from our chat, loud and clear, is OPPORTUNITY<\/u><\/strong>. Migrants, the media constantly remind us, are people who have to keep quiet about their desires and ambitions; people with only needs and necessities, condemned to live \u2013 sorry, survive \u2013 in a \u2018mechanical\u2019 way, waiting continually in some reception centre. But it is not like that\u2026<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.liberinantes.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/3-150x150.jpg\")
in 2013. \u201cWe ask for help, but we also want other people to be able to come to us and ask for help. We want to show that we can be useful to this country. We live here, and if the country isn\u2019t going well neither are we. Everybody should do something, even something small, to make the world a better place\u201d. <\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.liberinantes.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4-150x150.jpg\")
workshop <\/em>\u2013 Lamin continues \u2013 we finally have the opportunity to demonstrate that we are also people of talent, and willing to offer that to others. During the workshop days we compare ideas and experiences, we draw, we play music, we sing, we dance. Each one of us does something, following their passions, and the others join in. Every day that I go there, I learn something new. And to be in contact with professionals, people of experience who can pass on their skills to others, gives you just the push you need to go ahead and express yourself\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.liberinantes.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1-150x150.jpg\")
Different ideas, points of view, cultures and abilities: a value too often forgotten, a resource too often unexploited. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward with joy to the second phase, when we pass through the Roman neighbourhoods of Tor Bella Monaca, Quarticciolo and Pietralata\u201d, <\/em>Bakary tells me. \u201cIn that moment, we will be able to demonstrate to Italians that we are not the \u2018baddies\u2019, but human beings like everyone else, with the good and the bad you find in every social group\u201d<\/em>. Good, bad, cooks, agricultural engineers, rappers, welders, skaters, shy and otherwise; all together to share their abilities and passions. On the stage, as in life.<\/p>\n