At the Gates of Europe

The reportage gives a glimpse of the social life in these diverse communities and their mutual interaction in relation to surrounding space and neighbouring cultures. It shows cultural and demographic changes in Sicily that are leading to a new multicultural society.

"At the Gates of Europe" is an ongoing reportage started in 2018. It is composed by two chapter: "Sakīna - Sicilian Religions" focuses on the religious festivals of migrant communities in Sicily as a testimony of real integration and multiculturalism despite the new dawn of fascism and "At the Gates of Europe" which deals with daily life, second generation of migrants, work conditions and migration routes to Sicily.

I intend to give a glimpse of the social life in these diverse communities and their mutual interaction in relation to surrounding space and neighbouring cultures. I show cultural and demographic changes in Sicily that are leading to a new concept of religiousness, religiosity and “Sicilianitá.” - what it means to be Sicilian. I questions the notion of identity and traditions on an island whose "globalization" already began in ancient times. As testimonies of a multicultural society, the manifold religious habits stand in apparent contrast to the often strictly Catholic representation of Sicily, which leaves no room for the idea of a cultural but also religious melting pot. As a gateway to Europe, however, Sicily has for centuries been a place where migrants located and where different cultures are at home. This integration has become more complex in recent years as the pressures of the most recent global mass migrations have brought the first signs of intolerance and racism to Sicily, an island well known for hospitality and tolerance. Politically, Italy has shifted toward extreme right-wing governance. This mirrors a worldwide political shift that stretches from Hungary to Brazil and raises questions on how any society can truly integrate an influx of foreigners. Can a strong public religiousness and the shared urban spaces be signs of successful integration? One has only to look at the wide range of religious practices and public worship in these communities - from Hindu and Buddhist practitioners to Voodoo and Romanian Orthodox - to see the wide array of communities that have managed to integrate socially, culturally, economically and, in some cases, politically into Sicily. By documenting the religious festivities of migrant communities, I show cultural and demographic changes in Sicily that are leading to a new concept of religiousness and “Sicilianitá.” - what it means to be Sicilian.

Sakīna, is a state of mind and a concept which is shared in all religions and philosophies. It includes the meaning of Ataraxia, serenity and security. The root of this Arabic word embody the meaning of living or indwelling in a place. Sakīna, is the link between all these communities.