Red Zone Skaters

© Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project © Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project © Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project View all images ↓
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  • Dates
    2018 - 2018
  • Author
  • Topics Portrait, Social Issues, Contemporary Issues
  • Location L'Aquila, Italy
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Ten years on the earthquake that devastated the medieval city of L'Aquila a small group of young guys on skateboards lead me through the historic centre of this ghost town searching for a future.

Within the spectral old town of L'Aquila Leonardo (15 y/o), Tommaso (12 y/o), Milo (13 y/o), Gabriele (9 y/o) and Federico (17 y/o) push their skateboards dodging dust and rubble on the ground. The landscape is bleak. You can see everywhere hurdles, broken roads, barred doors, rubble, protective nets, broken windows, scaffolding and hundreds of huge cranes that stand out in the sky. It seems to wander the streets of one of the many Syrian cities destroyed by bombing rather than walking in the heart of central Italy. On 6 April 2009, the day of the tragic earthquake, some of these boys were not even born. For others it is only a memory too far in time and confused in the mind of a child. This is the city that they have come to know and in which to live. There is neither a first nor an after. There is only tomorrow. On April 6th 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale devastated the medieval city of L'Aquila, killing 309 people. Ten years on from that fateful day, the historic centre remains a ghost town. Those who lost their homes have been rehoused in new complexes in the city's redeveloped suburbs.

© Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project
i

Portrait of Milo S. Thirteen years old, secondary school. He arrived two years ago from south of Italy with his mother and his little brother. "I like skateboarding: it's all my life! People here are very depressed, they spend all the time into the commercial centre. I don't know why". Red Zone, L'Aquila (Italy) On April 6th 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale devastated the medieval city of L'Aquila, killing 309 people. Ten years on from that fateful day, the historic centre remains a ghost town. Those who lost their homes have been rehoused in new complexes in the city's redeveloped suburbs.

© Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project
i

Young skateboarders into the Red Zone. L'Aquila (Italy) On April 6th 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale devastated the medieval city of L'Aquila, killing 309 people. Ten years on from that fateful day, the historic centre remains a ghost town. Those who lost their homes have been rehoused in new complexes in the city's redeveloped suburbs.

© Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project
i

Skateboards on a building site. Red Zone. L'Aquila (Italy) On April 6th 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale devastated the medieval city of L'Aquila, killing 309 people. Ten years on from that fateful day, the historic centre remains a ghost town. Those who lost their homes have been rehoused in new complexes in the city's redeveloped suburbs.

© Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project
i

Young skateboarders into the Red Zone. L'Aquila (Italy) On April 6th 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale devastated the medieval city of L'Aquila, killing 309 people. Ten years on from that fateful day, the historic centre remains a ghost town. Those who lost their homes have been rehoused in new complexes in the city's redeveloped suburbs.

© Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project
i

Young skateboarders into the Red Zone. L'Aquila (Italy) On April 6th 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale devastated the medieval city of L'Aquila, killing 309 people. Ten years on from that fateful day, the historic centre remains a ghost town. Those who lost their homes have been rehoused in new complexes in the city's redeveloped suburbs.

© Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project
i

Portrait of Federico T. Seventeen years old, high school. He lives in the new town of Bazzano, in the suburbs of the city. "I love skating; you can do wherever you want. You can do it alone. My brother is an engineer and he lives in London. After the school I will decide what to do: to go away or to stay here. It's hard to choose". Red Zone. L'Aquila (Italy) On April 6th 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale devastated the medieval city of L'Aquila, killing 309 people. Ten years on from that fateful day, the historic centre remains a ghost town. Those who lost their homes have been rehoused in new complexes in the city's redeveloped suburbs.

© Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project
i

Portrait of Tommaso C. Twelve years old, secondary school. He starts to skateboarding three years ago. "I skate every day. I want to become a very good one. I like climbing skying, listening music. My favourite artist is Noyz Narcos: he's and awesome young italian rapper." Red Zone. L'Aquila (Italy) On April 6th 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale devastated the medieval city of L'Aquila, killing 309 people. Ten years on from that fateful day, the historic centre remains a ghost town. Those who lost their homes have been rehoused in new complexes in the city's redeveloped suburbs.

© Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project
i

Portrait of Leonardo D. Fifteen years old, high school. He's studying economics and marketing. "I don't remember the night of the earthquake: I was just five. I like motocrossing but my love is the skateboard. One of my favourite skaters is Oskar Rozenberg. He's very talented. His Instagram profile is interesting". Red Zone. L'Aquila (Italy) On April 6th 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale devastated the medieval city of L'Aquila, killing 309 people. Ten years on from that fateful day, the historic centre remains a ghost town. Those who lost their homes have been rehoused in new complexes in the city's redeveloped suburbs.

© Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project
i

Portrait of Gabriele S. Nine years old, primary school. He arrived two years ago from south of Italy with his mother and his little brother. "I like skateboarding and fingerboarding. Tricks done on a fingerboard are inspired by tricks done on real skateboards. It makes me happy". Red Zone, L'Aquila (Italy) On April 6th 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale devastated the medieval city of L'Aquila, killing 309 people. Ten years on from that fateful day, the historic centre remains a ghost town. Those who lost their homes have been rehoused in new complexes in the city's redeveloped suburbs.

© Stefano Marzoli - Image from the Red Zone Skaters photography project
i

Young skateboarders into the Red Zone. L'Aquila (Italy) On April 6th 2009, an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale devastated the medieval city of L'Aquila, killing 309 people. Ten years on from that fateful day, the historic centre remains a ghost town. Those who lost their homes have been rehoused in new complexes in the city's redeveloped suburbs.

Red Zone Skaters by Stefano Marzoli

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