Riace, a symbol of hope in a closing Europe

A policy of openness that displeases Italy's national authorities

Riace mayor Domenico Lucano at table with immigrant children

For more than a decade, a discourse has persisted in the West: a crisis of migrants, especially Africans, would lead to the end of Western society as it is fantasized by some.

Such a context has led to a gradual erosion of welcome and strict legislation against those seeking a better life or leaving a land beset by famine or war. The countries where the nationalist right is in power are the ones that have the most laws against migrants. Yet even in these territories, some are resisting and proposing interesting models of integration.

Such is the case of Riace, a small Italian village in Calabria, which has seen its young people leave over the years. Mayor Domenico Lucano decided to focus on attracting immigrants to keep the area alive and kicking. His gamble has partly paid off, since in Riace, the cohabitation of migrants and locals is going very well.

What's more, there are many young families, and for a time the village was able to hear children's laughter again. However, with the nationalist right in power in Italy, the burgomaster has been prosecuted many times, even dismissed for a time, and all subsidies have been cut, making it more difficult to set up businesses, jobs, services and so on.

Despite all this, Nicco, as everyone calls him, is involved in the community and tries as best he can to help his fellow citizens. He sometimes dips into his MEP salary to keep the community alive.

Because, yes, the mayor was also elected to the European Parliament, and his model of integration is of interest to many who are fighting against the closed-door approach present in Europe and elsewhere.

Running time: 30min21

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