The Municipality of Castellana and the Castellana Caves, together, stand against violence against women. An awareness day featuring conferences, conversations, discussions, and "light walks."
The Castellana Caves are a candidate for becoming a "Purple Spot", a safe haven for all women in difficulty. The announcement was made on November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a day that saw the Municipality and Grotte di Castellana srl – together as always – invite women to say enough and shout that “I (AM) NOT AFRAID”.
With them also the DONNEXSTRADA Association, an association that deals with violence against women and street safety, through the purple points and an associated network of psychologists and lawyers.
The Purple Points welcome women with staff trained to combat gender-based violence and promote street safety.
An intense, emotional, and thought-provoking day. Filled with conversations, discussions, and testimonies, every word resonates, and nature's millennia-old work becomes a symbol of courage and tenacity.
“They were right: this place touches your heart, it inspires strength.”
This is one of the comments heard during the descent into the cave. A "light walk" that led about a hundred women, men, and children to descend into the caves in the dark, with only a flashlight to guide them. A 30-minute march into the bowels of the earth to raise awareness of the fight against gender-based violence, because from the depths, we can and must reemerge.
But the day started much earlier when At 11:00 a.m., women were able to immerse themselves for free in the underground wonder and be inspired by the power of nature.
In the evening, after the light walk, the debate in the Grave cave.
Moderated by the artistic director of the Castellana Caves Pino Savino, saw the participation of the Board of Directors Nelide Rizzi, which officially announced the karst complex's candidacy to become a "purple spot." This was followed by remarks by the lawyer. Marianna Ostuni (member of the legal team of the DonnexStrada Association), of Dr. Nicolaja Girone (psychologist – psychotherapist at the Department of Psychiatry of the Fatebenefratelli – Sacco Hospital in Milan) and Dr. Anna Rosa Barruffi (Psychologist – psychotherapist – expert witness for the Court of Bari). They explained the association's support efforts, recounted the horrific numbers of reported violence against women in Italy and Puglia, and shared how it's possible to escape the cycle of violence.
Finally, Dr. Anita Paolillo head of sector II “Social Services” of the Municipality of Castellana Grotte and the lawyer. Davide Sportelli Councilor for Social Services of the Municipality of Castellana Grotte, who provided information on the support activities made available by the Municipality of Castellana Grotte.
< Doors "The events in Castellana represent the excitement within civil society regarding this issue. The department is working, has worked, and will continue to work. The goal for 2024," he concluded, "is to create events that aren't one-offs, but rather scheduled series of activities throughout our area to foster citizen growth. For example, schools are launching sexual and emotional education initiatives very soon. We truly hope to be able to send a signal, a real shift in people's mindset."
To close an unforgettable day, the meeting with Lina Sastri who brought to the stage her life experience and her point of view as a woman who made important choices, fought and conquered the freedom to be herself.
He had an intense dialogue with the mayor of Castellana Grotte Domi Ciliberti, whose questions led her to investigate her past and present: the roles she remembers most fondly, the meaning of November 25th, the theatre.
< Lina Sastri "One of the strongest women I've ever portrayed is Filomena Marturano. When I played her, I realized how much the author, Eduardo De Filippo, had deliberately written that Filomena no longer cried, because the suffering in her heart had sown a kind of closure, something close to cruelty that she ultimately manages to overcome."
A unique evening that will remain in the memory of all participants and that will not be limited to "a moment" but will be "a concrete project."
The Municipality and Grotte have sought to sow the seeds of light and send a message they reiterate: don't be afraid, no one is alone. We are here for every woman in need.
