ESC 30 - Radici e Percorsi - 2024-1-IT03-ESC30-SOL-000217804
- Arte Diem Calabria
- Aug 9
- 19 min read
In 2024, six young people from Girifalco, driven by love for their land, brought to life “Radici e Percorsi” (Radici e Percorsi), a European Solidarity Corps project (Erasmus+ program) dedicated to rediscovering and enhancing Calabria's cultural and naturalistic heritage. The idea was born from the realization that many of their peers leave the town in search of opportunities elsewhere, leaving communities and traditions at risk of being forgotten.
With Radici e Percorsi, these youths wanted to reverse the trend, reawakening the pride of belonging and showing that new paths for the future can sprout from the roots of the past. Over the course of 12 months (June 2024 – May 2025), the group explored the stories, trades, and landscapes of Calabria, documenting them through interviews, photography, and video. Through creative storytelling, they built a bridge between generations, making local traditions and places accessible and fascinating, especially for the younger ones.
In parallel, participants learned new skills, from videomaking to historical research, becoming active guardians of their own heritage. The result is a rich mosaic of experiences: from the lives of artisans and entrepreneurs tied to Calabrian roots, to the naturalistic treasures hidden between the sea and the mountains. This article retraces the entire journey of Radici e Percorsi, presenting the interviewed protagonists, the places visited, and the activities carried out with the community, bearing witness to how Calabria can be a source of inspiration, pride, and opportunity for new generations.
Salvatore Stranieri: The Guardian of the Art of Panari in Girifalco
In the heart of Girifalco lives Salvatore Stranieri, 95 years old, considered the "Lord of the Panari." As a boy, he learned the ancient art of weaving wicker baskets-the panari, in dialect-and even today, with patient hands, he transforms plant fibers from the surrounding woods into timeless artifacts. Each of his panari tells the story of peasant life in the past: it was used to collect olives, transport fruit, or lay figs out in the sun. "It's not just about making a basket," he tells us with pride, "every weave is a thread that ties the past to the present. It is my whole life." Traditional Calabrian basketry is an ancient art, documented since the Neolithic era and passed down from father to son. Up until the 1960s and 70s, peasants wove baskets and straw chairs for daily use, but plastic and industrialization have nearly made this trade disappear. Salvatore is one of the last custodians of this knowledge: his refined techniques-from cutting young chestnut branches to oven-drying and splitting them into flexible strips for weaving-are the result of decades of experience.
Through Radici e Percorsi, Salvatore's story has been documented and shared as a living example of cultural heritage. His figure demonstrates that traditions can only survive if there is someone who practices them with passion: the slow gestures of weaving a panaro thus become an act of love for one's land, a way to keep roots alive while the world around changes.
Rocco Vitaliano: Traditional Weaving Meets the Future
The journey of Radici e Percorsi continues in Girifalco, where tradition and innovation intertwine-literally-in the atelier of Rocco Vitaliano. Rocco is a young artisan (in his early twenties) who is bringing the ancient art of loom weaving back to life. At 14, intrigued by his grandmother's handmade bedspreads, he decided to learn how to weave; at 17, with the savings from his first odd jobs, he managed to buy two wooden looms dating back to the early 1900s. In his workshop, among colored threads, shuttles, and warping mills, Rocco weaves scarves, rugs, bags, and other fabrics, using tools and techniques that had been lost in his town. "I wanted to carry forward a tradition that had been lost in the town," Rocco explains, "to create fashion, but at the same time tradition and innovation." After restoring the old looms, he sought out the last elderly weavers in the area, who taught him the secrets of the trade. In a short time, he has probably become the youngest master weaver in Calabria, capable of mastering various techniques (from four-shaft weaving to create the "carpitieddhu," the traditional Girifalco shawl, to the creative upcycling of fabric strips for rugs).
In fact, Rocco loves to experiment: he has revived the spinning of broom (ginestra), a plant fiber used in ancient times for its strength and softness, and even the breeding of silkworms to produce homemade silk yarns. Furthermore, inspired by the old methods of grandmothers, he creates eco-friendly fabrics by reusing discarded clothes, giving life to bags and accessories in the name of sustainability.
The story of Rocco Vitaliano, a fashion student with the dream of opening a textile company in his homeland, proves that artisanal traditions can not only be appreciated by young people but can also evolve into innovative entrepreneurial projects. In the video interview produced for Radici e Percorsi, we see Rocco at work on his loom: every stroke of the reed weaves past and future, proving that an ancient craft can become a modern creative path without losing its original soul.
Stefano Ruggieri: The Ancient Monastery Reborn as "Abbatia"
Among the stories collected in Radici e Percorsi is also that of Stefano Ruggieri, a young entrepreneur who has realized an ambitious dream: breathing life back into an ancient abandoned monastery by transforming it into "Abbatia," a modern multifunctional center where history, culture, and innovation coexist. We are still in Girifalco, where a Basilian monastery dating back to the 10th century stood, long in ruins. Stefano, in love with his territory and aware of the value of that historical site, decided to invest time and resources into recovering it. He worked to preserve its architectural and spiritual essence while integrating contemporary services: today, Abbatia is a vibrant agritourism and event space, surrounded by the charm of the ancient cloister and the embrace of the hilly nature. In the interview given to the Radici e Percorsi team, Stefano shares the challenges of this project: from the restoration work respecting the original materials, to the creation of activities (such as tastings, cultural workshops, guided tours) that make Abbatia a place lived in by the community and tourists. "I wanted this jewel of the past to shine again and bring opportunities to the town," he explains. Today, Abbatia has become a symbol of rebirth for Girifalco: a concrete example of how to enhance roots (a centuries-old monastery) while opening up new paths of local development (sustainable tourism, zero-mile food and wine, artistic events). Stefano Ruggieri's story teaches that recovering historical heritage is not only an act of preservation but also of social innovation: thanks to his commitment, a place that risked oblivion is now an engine of culture and economy, showing that the youth of the South can create a future starting from the forgotten beauties of the territory.
Domenico Giampà: The Magic of Art Between Roots and Innovation
Girifalco is a land of artistic talents, and Domenico Giampà is living proof of it. A multifaceted artist, Domenico ranges from painting to sculpture to ceramics, transforming matter and color into tangible emotions. In his workshop, it feels like entering a world suspended in time: on the shelves, worn-out brushes sit next to fresh clay, and abstract canvases alternate with bas-reliefs inspired by ancient motifs on the walls. Every piece by Domenico is born from the meeting of tradition and contemporary creativity. A son of this land, Domenico frequently draws upon local symbols and stories: his ceramics rework motifs from peasant and Magna Graecia culture, his paintings recall the colors of the Calabrian landscape, and his sculptures seem to give shape to the myths and legends handed down by the elders. "For me, art is a continuous dialogue between past and present," he tells us during the interview, "it is my way of exploring the soul of this land and returning it in new forms." Through Radici e Percorsi, we discovered how Domenico learned his first techniques self-taught and then refined his craft by comparing himself with artists from all over Italy, without ever losing his connection to Girifalco. Indeed, he is the president of a local Legambiente club and a former municipal councilor: his passion for art goes hand in hand with his commitment to the community and the environment. In the episode dedicated to him, Domenico shows us some creations; through these works, he demonstrates how remembering one's roots can become an act of innovation: Domenico Giampà's art is not a mere replica of the past, but its transfiguration in a modern key, capable of speaking to the heart of the observer. The public remains enchanted by the magic of his creations, which guard memories while simultaneously suggesting new perspectives. Domenico perfectly embodies the spirit of Radici e Percorsi: rooted in his land, but with his gaze always open to new creative horizons.
Ines Caliò: The Archaeologist Guardian of Girifalco's History
Not only arts and crafts: Radici e Percorsi also gave a voice to those who work to bring to light the historical roots of the area. This is the case of Ines Caliò, an archaeologist from Girifalco with a very deep connection to her origins. Ever since she was a child, Ines was enchanted by the tales of the Basilian monks who populated the surrounding hills or the ancient legends of the town. That curiosity led her to study archaeology and, after graduating, to return to the territory to put her skills at the service of the community. Today, Ines is the president of the Archeoclub d'Italia, Girifalco branch, and for years she has led a group of volunteers in research and excavation campaigns that have yielded surprising results.
Right in Girifalco, in the San Vincenzo locality, Ines's team discovered a Byzantine-era necropolis, unearthing artifacts of enormous value. "It was thrilling to unearth centuries of history under the dirt we walk on every day," she says. Ines embodies the figure of the "guardian of history": with passion and tenacity, she continues to explore, document, and protect the traces of the local past. Thanks to her work (often conducted with very few funds and a lot of volunteering), entirely new aspects of Girifalco's roots have been rediscovered, and those ancient places have come back to life in the collective memory. "Our determination has allowed us to keep them alive," she states, referring to the archaeological sites saved from neglect.
The bond between Ines and her land is almost visceral: "Every artifact we find is not a museum piece; it is a piece of my identity, of our identity," she says. Her commitment also has a strong educational value: she organizes school days and guided tours to introduce young people to this "hidden" heritage. Ines Caliò, with her story, demonstrates how important it is to know one's roots to build a future rich in meaning. Her contagious dedication has even attracted scholars from abroad (researchers from the Sorbonne in Paris came to study local artifacts with her), a sign that Girifalco's heritage resonates far beyond local borders.
Vitaliano Posella: The Artisan of Calabrian Pipes in the World
A curious and fascinating element of Calabrian heritage is the briar tobacco pipe, a cult object for collectors worldwide. Well, one of the most internationally appreciated master pipemakers originates right from this territory: Vitaliano Posella from Girifalco. His story, collected by Radici e Percorsi, seems to come out of a novel: as a young boy, Vitaliano learned the art of working briar (the root of the tree heath, a hard and resistant wood used for pipes) from his father as a roughing worker; over the years, he refined his technique until becoming a true pipe artist, whose creations are highly sought after today by connoisseurs and smokers in Europe, America, and Asia.
Posella Pipes are considered a Calabrian excellence: each piece is unique, entirely handmade between the workshop in Girifalco and the one in San Vito sullo Ionio. Vitaliano personally selects the heath logs in the Catanzaro greenhouses (Calabrian briar is renowned as one of the best in the world for its compactness and beautiful grain) and carries out all the production stages: boiling and seasoning the briar, turning, drilling the bowl, modeling, and finally the characteristic hand-rustication that gives his pipes a lived-in and elegant look. In his atelier, you can breathe a mix of scents of wood, wax, and pipe tobacco; on the walls, photos of visiting foreign collectors and certificates of prizes won at international fairs. "Every pipe has its soul," Vitaliano explains in the video, proudly showing us a finished pipe next to the rough block from which it is carved. He tells us how it was initially just a job, then became an overwhelming passion: he studied the techniques of master pipemakers from all over Italy, innovating his own style. His pipes often feature shapes inspired by nature (twisted roots, trunks, shells) and a distinctive rustic finish that has become his trademark.
Today, thanks also to the Internet, Vitaliano sells pipes in every corner of the planet and participates in industry events, holding the name of Girifalco high. "I like to think that a piece of my Calabria travels with my pipes," he says. His story highlights how local artisanal knowledge can achieve global resonance: from a small-town workshop to the showcases of international collectors. Radici e Percorsi celebrates Vitaliano Posella as an example of artisanal excellence that combines groundedness in the territory (the pipes are made exclusively with Calabrian briar) and openness to the world.
Daniela Loiarro: The Sweet Revolution of Kaleido
Radici e Percorsi can take unexpected forms, even those... of artisanal gelato! Daniela Loiarro's story is indeed one of courage and sweetness. Daniela, originally from Girifalco, after years in a completely different sector, decided to revolutionize her life by following her passion for pastry. The result is "Kaleido," a café-gelateria opened in the heart of the town, which quickly became a reference point for the whole community. Entering Kaleido means being enveloped by scents and colors: those of gelatos with genuine flavors, cakes decorated with flowers and seasonal fruits, biscuits that recall grandmothers' recipes but revisited with creativity. Daniela tells us in the interview how Kaleido was born: "I dreamed of a place where young and old could share happy moments enjoying something good made with love." And her dream has come true. Kaleido is not just a commercial business, but a space for meeting and sharing, where every customer feels at home. Local culinary tradition is honored, for example with typical Calabrian holiday sweets, but there is also a lot of innovation. With determination, her gelateria today not only satisfies palates but warms the heart of the town: it has become a place where families gather on Sunday afternoons, youths stop by after school, and the elderly chat while enjoying a good coffee and a pasticciotto. The story of Daniela Loiarro and Kaleido, documented by Radici e Percorsi, teaches us that following one's passions can bring about a daily "sweet revolution," made of smiles, creativity, and love for the community.
Salvatore Loiarro: Sport as a Bond Between Communities
Among the roots that unite the people of Girifalco, there is not only the culture of the past, but also a very current passion: football. Salvatore Loiarro, coach and founder of the ASD Academy Girifalco, has been able to transform the most beloved sport into a social project involving an entire generation. A few years ago, Salvatore gathered a group of kids from Girifalco with the idea of forming a new youth football team. Soon the initiative attracted youths from neighboring towns eager to train and play together. Thus, Academy Girifalco was born, a "borderless" team that today counts dozens of youths united by their sporting passion. But the Academy, as Salvatore emphasizes in the interview, "goes beyond the game": the football field has become a meeting place where fundamental values such as mutual respect, inclusion, and discipline are promoted. "On the team, we are all equal, no matter where you come from," says Salvatore, "what matters is learning to be a team, to help one another." Thanks to his commitment, the Academy Girifalco is today a model of positive aggregation: in a territory fragmented into many small centers, football has managed to break down distances and create new bonds. Salvatore, whose day job is completely different, dedicates every free moment to his boys: he organizes training sessions, looks for sponsors for uniforms and balls, and involves former local players to give technical advice. "Seeing the enthusiasm of these young people repays me for every effort," he states smiling. The story of Salvatore Loiarro and the ASD Academy Girifalco, told in one of the video episodes of the project, highlights how sport can become a vehicle for solidarity and community growth. Just as a good coach knows how to bring out the best in every player, Salvatore has been able to bring out the best in his territory: where there were isolations and parochial rivalries, there is now a team spirit and belonging that enriches everyone.
Vincenzo Aloisio: Tradition and Innovation at the Millefoglie Pastry Shop
We close the series of portraits by returning to the sweet thread of tradition. In Girifalco, there is a place that for decades has rhymed with gluttony and conviviality: Vincenzo Aloisio's Pasticceria Millefoglie. This artisanal laboratory is the classic example of how passion and dedication can elevate a local business to a symbol of excellence. Every product from Pasticceria Millefoglie tells Vincenzo's love for the territory: he uses chestnut honey from the nearby mountains, walnuts from Motta San Luca, fresh ricotta from local shepherds. "If something is good, it is often because our land is inside it," he states. The clientele knows this and appreciates it: there are those who travel kilometers from neighboring towns to buy his holiday sweets, and there is no emigrated Girifalcese who, upon returning home, does not stop by Millefoglie to stock up on the flavors of the past. Vincenzo, with modesty, attributes the merit to teamwork with his family and collaborators, but it is clear that his mastery and creativity have made the difference. Radici e Percorsi wanted to include his story precisely to highlight how a traditional craft, the town pastry chef, can become an ever-evolving art.
The Naturalistic Places of Girifalco and Surroundings
In addition to human stories, Radici e Percorsi explored the natural scenery surrounding Girifalco, places of great charm often little known. Here are five naturalistic pearls easily reachable from the town:
Monte Covello – It is the mountain that dominates Girifalco, part of the Catanzaro Preserre, with an altitude of 848m. Covered in pine forests and Mediterranean scrub, u Munti (as they call it in dialect) offers panoramic trails ideal for trekking and mountain biking. From the summit, on clear days, the view sweeps from the Ionian Sea to the Tyrrhenian Sea, embracing the entire Isthmus of Catanzaro – the narrowest point of Italy. A beloved destination for hikers and families, Monte Covello also houses a small statue of the Madonna at the top and ancient local legends. It is the green lung of Girifalco, a place for picnics, walks, and traditional Easter Monday outings.
WWF Oasis Lake Angitola – About 20 km from Girifalco, to the west, lies Lake Angitola, an artificial basin created in 1966 on the Angitola river. The surrounding area, located at the southern edges of the Sant'Eufemia Plain, has been a WWF Nature Oasis since 1975 and is recognized as a wetland of international value (Ramsar Convention). The lake, surrounded by wooded hills of eucalyptus, cork oaks, and pines, is a paradise for birdwatching: its waters and reed beds are home to numerous species of migratory and sedentary birds – great white and grey herons, cormorants, wild ducks, marsh harriers, and even osprey. The shores teem with life: besides birds, freshwater turtles, grass snakes, and multicolored dragonflies can be spotted. Access is regulated to protect the fauna, but there are equipped observation points and guided tours organized by the WWF. Lake Angitola offers breathtaking views at sunset, with the sky reflected in its calm waters, and is a virtuous example of how an artificial environment can become a natural sanctuary.
Sila National Park – Driving about an hour north of Girifalco, you climb onto the Sila plateau, the green heart of Calabria. Here lies the Sila National Park, officially established in 2002 to protect over 73,000 hectares of woods, valleys, and lakes. It is the park with the highest percentage of forests in Italy: about 80% of its surface is covered by dense forests of beech and centuries-old Corsican pines (the characteristic pino silano). Walking along its paths, one is immersed in a fairy-tale atmosphere among towering trees, streams, and meadows where horses and Podolica cows graze. Three large artificial lakes – Ampollino, Arvo, and Cecita – dot the landscape, offering picturesque views and activities such as canoeing and sport fishing. The Sila is also very rich in fauna: the symbol of the Park is the Apennine wolf, which has returned to populate these mountains after being on the brink of extinction in the 70s. With a little luck (and especially by visiting the Cupone Visitor Center), you can also spot deer, fallow deer, wild boars, foxes, martens, and birds of prey like buzzards and kestrels. Recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, the Sila represents a precious ecosystem of biodiversity and culture (famous, for example, for the production of the IGP Sila potato and caciocavallo cheeses). During the Radici e Percorsi project, the group spent a few days of team building immersed in nature right here, experiencing sleeping in a mountain refuge among the woods and rediscovering the beauty of simple mountain life.
• • Serre Regional Nature Park – South of Girifalco stretches the Calabrian Serre mountain range, a succession of forest-covered reliefs that ideally connect the Sila to the Aspromonte. The heart of this area is protected by the Serre Regional Park, created in 1990 and today extending over approximately 17,700 hectares in the provinces of Catanzaro, Vibo Valentia, and Reggio Calabria. It is a territory immensely rich in water and woods: major rivers (such as the Angitola and the Allaro) originate here, and there are spectacular waterfalls, including the majestic Marmarico Waterfall in Bivongi, which with its 114-meter drop is the highest in the southern Apennines. The Serre offer enchanting scenery: secular beech forests (like the ancient Villa Vittoria near Mongiana), Nordic-looking fir woods near Lake Lacina, expanses of giant ferns, and streams that form hidden natural pools. The Park also guards cultural treasures immersed in nature, first and foremost the Charterhouse of Serra San Bruno, a Carthusian monastery founded in 1091 by Saint Bruno among the woods: a place of spirituality enveloped in the silence of the forests. Nearby is also the WWF oasis of Gallopane, home to reintroduced native deer. The Serre are ideal for those seeking slow tourism: trekking on trails (such as the walking path connecting all the places of Saint Bruno), MTB trips, visits to mountain villages and the ancient Bourbon ironworks of Mongiana. During the project, the youths of Radici e Percorsi explored some corners of the Girifalco Serre-for example, the Farnoso wood, near which ancient Basilian hermitages once stood-documenting the naturalistic wealth "in their backyard" that is often taken for granted.
• • The Ionian Coast of the Gulf of Squillace – Finally, among the places of the heart, the ones where land and sea meet could not be missing. Girifalco, being at the center of the isthmus, is less than 30 km from both the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian. On the Ionian side opens the Gulf of Squillace, with renowned seaside resorts like Soverato, Caminia, Copanello: here, nature expresses itself in a crystalline turquoise sea, sinuous sandstone cliffs, and golden beaches. The youths of Radici e Percorsi specifically visited the area of Pietragrande and Caminia (Stalettì), remaining fascinated by the large sea stacks emerging from the water and the hidden sea caves. In the images collected, the vivid colors of the Mediterranean scrub growing almost onto the sand stand out – brooms, prickly pears, agaves – and the fiery sunsets over the sea. This coast is also an underwater archaeological site: in the depths of Caminia lie the remains of ancient Skilletion (a Magna Graecia colony), and not far away, in Roccelletta di Borgia, the Scolacium Archaeological Park offers the charm of millennial olive trees shading Roman ruins. But it is above all the scenic beauty that enchants: the Marine Reserve of Isola di Capo Rizzuto (a little further north) protects one of the richest stretches of sea for marine fauna, where it is not rare to spot dolphins. The Ionian coast, with its warm waters and long summers, represents the weekend "escape" for the people of Girifalco, the place to regenerate and reconnect with the open horizon of the sea. In Radici e Percorsi, the Ionian Sea appears as a poetic backdrop in some footage, reminding us that the natural landscape is also part of local identity just as much as monuments or traditions.
From Schools to Trees: The Local Impact of the Project
Beyond field research, Radici e Percorsi engaged in numerous activities to share results and actively involve the local community, especially the youth. Here are some key moments that marked the project, leaving a tangible legacy in Girifalco and its surroundings:
Final Event in Girifalco: At the end of the project, a public evening was organized at a municipal hall, transformed for the occasion into a small cinema and gallery. The young people officially presented the documentary created by editing together the interviews and footage of the visited places. About 80 people attended, including the Mayor, representatives of cultural associations, the protagonists of the interviewed stories with their families, and many curious citizens.
Workshop at the Ettore Majorana Institute: From the early stages, the team involved local schools, aware that young people are the primary heirs of this heritage. In particular, a meeting was held at the "Ettore Majorana" High School (IIS) in Girifalco with over 60 high school students. During the morning, Rocco, Concetta, and the other youths of Radici e Percorsi told their peers how the project was born, also presenting the Erasmus+ program and the opportunities it offers. They then previewed some of the shot videos (like interview excerpts) and organized small interactive workshops: for example, a quiz on local traditions, an art workshop to jointly design a mural on the theme of "roots," and a short brainstorming session where students shared their ideas for enhancing Girifalco. The initiative met with great interest: many youths felt inspired, and some teachers expressed their intention to use the produced materials (videos, photos, brochures) as an educational resource on local identity themes.
Collaboration with the Municipalities of Girifalco and Filadelfia: The project, patronized by the Municipality of Girifalco, fostered a fruitful dialogue between the young people and local administrations. A final report was delivered to the Municipalities of Girifalco and Filadelfia, highlighting the interest and support of the municipalities for the initiative. The Mayor of Girifalco expressed the desire to promote events that enhance the local cultural heritage, while the cultural councilor of Filadelfia showed a willingness to explore future collaborations. This dialogue strengthened ties between young people and institutions.
The "Garden of Wonders" – Trees for the Future: One of the most beautiful and symbolic actions carried out by the group was the donation and planting of trees in a green area of Girifalco. In agreement with the Municipality and the local comprehensive institute, a small public garden located near the elementary schools was chosen and renamed "The Garden of Wonders" (Il Giardino delle Meraviglie) for the occasion. Here, the youths of Radici e Percorsi, helped by some children and volunteers, planted several native saplings-a holm oak, two oaks, a linden, and some flowering shrubs-as a concrete contribution to the environment and a symbol of community growth. During the small planting ceremony, each tree was "adopted" by a school class, pledging to take care of it in the years to come. A message on the plaque reads: "We will grow together – Radici e Percorsi 2025." This green legacy activity made tangible the idea that caring for heritage also passes through daily gestures of respect for nature. Today, the Garden of Wonders is an evergreen corner in the town, and from time to time the youths return to water the plants and organize small outdoor activities with the children, keeping that spirit of wonder and protection alive.
Training and Team Building Meetings: To successfully carry out the project, the six young promoters also enlisted the help of expert mentors. In particular, Emanuel Caristi, a trainer in the field of videomaking and communication, followed them as a coach to improve their technical skills in video shooting and editing, and to facilitate teamwork during the most demanding phases. Under his guidance, the team learned to manage a complex project, developing soft skills such as organization, creative problem-solving, and public speaking. But Radici e Percorsi was also an opportunity for personal growth and internal cohesion within the group: in addition to the "official" working days, several group outings were organized. Memorable was the three-day trip to Sila (at Villaggio Mancuso) where, between mountain excursions and evenings around the fireplace, the youths consolidated their friendship and refined their shared vision of the project. Other local trips-from dawn on the Squillace hills to a visit to the silk museum in San Floro where they tried weaving on an 18th-century loom-enriched their wealth of experiences and stimuli, helping to keep motivation high. Coach Emanuel also supported the group in some online meetings during the editing phase of the documentary, helping them reflect critically on the work done (learning by doing). All these formative and team-building activities ensured that Radici e Percorsi was not just a final product (videos, exhibitions, etc.), but above all a learning path for the participants, who emerge more aware of their capabilities and more united in their commitment to the community.
Radici e Percorsi turned out to be much more than a simple youth project: it was an exciting journey to discover the identity of a territory and, at the same time, an active citizenship laboratory. Through the stories of artisans, artists, entrepreneurs, and places recounted in these pages, we have seen how the authentic Calabria of traditions and nature can dialogue with innovation and the future. The young protagonists have acquired new skills and at the same time have sown ideas and initiatives that will continue to sprout (from the trees planted in the Garden of Wonders to the collaborations with schools and institutions that will continue after the official end of the project). Radici e Percorsi leaves behind a community more aware of its riches and more connected to its past, with a confident gaze directed toward future opportunities. Like the roots of a sturdy tree, the values and knowledge that emerged from this journey will remain firmly anchored in the soil of Girifalco; and like paths unfolding in the woods, the new ideas and energies of the young people will continue to trace paths of growth and hope for the entire community.
Turned our wedding portrait into a photo puzzle and sent the play link in our thank-you email. Guests competed to solve it fastest.