A bridge between generations designed to preserve memory and welcome Sicilians from around the world with open arms. This is the driving force behind “Radici in Piazza – Sicily Edition,” a pioneering project created by WebHouseMessina, an institution accredited by Italy’s Ministry of Education and Merit. The initiative is transforming Sicilian villages into open-air museums dedicated to roots tourism.
As Sicily prepares for an increase in “return travelers” from the United States, South America, Australia and Europe, local municipalities are adopting an innovative approach. Students from local schools are interviewing their grandparents and producing podcasts that preserve historic dialects, emigration stories, forgotten occupations and folk traditions. These valuable recordings are then connected to QR codes installed in the historic town squares.
Descendants of Sicilian emigrants returning to visit their ancestral communities – including beautiful towns such as San Marco d’Alunzio, Valguarnera Caropepe, Condrò, Ficarra and Montagnareale – will be able to scan the codes with their smartphones and listen to each town’s history as told directly by its senior residents.
The project was conceived by Angelina Rizzo and has received national sponsorship from UNPLI, the National Union of Italy’s Pro Loco Associations. It represents a unique initiative in Italy, and several other regions have already expressed interest in replicating the model.
Sicily is therefore leading the way, demonstrating how technology in the hands of young people can become one of the most powerful tools for preserving the ancient soul of Italy and helping second-, third- and fourth-generation Sicilians around the world feel at home.
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Website: https://lnx.webhousemessina.com/whb/radici-in-piazza-sicilia/
