Villa Dante will host the Provincial Unity Festival of Messina from 9 to 11 October. «Between two seas, our future» is the title of the third edition, after those in Piazza Duomo and the Fish Market. Peace, work and environment are the key words of the program, which combines the debates with four book presentations, live music, a food area, an artisans’ market and the triangular Dino Smedile Memorial five-a-side football match. At the center of the presentation, the role of the Young Democrats, involved in the organization and choice of themes. The provincial secretary of the Democratic Party Armando Hyerace gave them the floor, underlining the political significance of this collaboration: «A party is also measured by this: by the ability to entrust real responsibilities to those who arrive, instead of talking about it in the future. The guys who are here are not helping the federation, they are building it.”
The right to stay and the possibility of returning
The secretary of the Young Democrats of Messina Hafsa Ennekkar illustrated the regional campaign “Where you are born counts”, dedicated to the right to stay. “We know how difficult it has become to live in a city like Messina, where young people leave university to live elsewhere, to go abroad or simply to look for work elsewhere,” he explained.
Ennekkar also referred to the climate crisis and the water problems of the area: «For our generation it is not an abstract theory, it is a daily reality. Messina and its province suffer from serious water problems, and tackling the ecological transition means first of all protecting our land.”
From the open discussion with the “Where you are born matters” panel, a motion will be born on the right to remain which the Democratic Party will file in the local municipal councils. This was announced by Emanuele Carlo, exponent of the Young Democrats and councilor of the IV Municipality, linking the Party to the preparation of the next regional and national electoral events and to the discussion on the issues that unite the centre-left.
Energy transition, work and Palestine
Francesco Carabellò, of the Young Democrats, highlighted the choice of Villa Dante as an opportunity to broaden the discussion: «We often tend to talk to each other about issues that make up our political agenda, but in an internal dialogue you can’t win elections».
The panel on energy transition is scheduled for Saturday 10th. «Believing in a project that wants to give up fossil fuels doesn’t just mean clean energy, it means work. And going back to talking about work means getting closer to all those social classes who today no longer look at us with interest”, added Carabellò.
Recalling the coincidence of the press conference with October 7, Carabellò expressed his condemnation of any belligerent action and his closeness to the Palestinian people, hoping for the recognition of the State of Palestine. On Sunday 11th the topic will be addressed with the presentation of «Flotilla, traveling to Gaza» by Arturo Scotto.
The role of the new generations
The provincial secretary of the Young Democrats Emanuele Borgia claimed the commitment of young people in the political life of the territory: «For too many years young people have been seen as something abstract, a mythological figure. Today we are trying in every way to make our voice heard.” The coordinator of the secretariat Giacomo D’Arrigo spoke for the regional Democratic Party, recalling the parties organized in all nine Sicilian provinces, for an expected total of around sixty events. “We try to put content and invest in the new generations, not only on the issues but also by nominating them,” he said. D’Arrigo also recalled the presentation of the special law for Messina and the city’s role in the next electoral challenges. On the mobility of young people he specified: “Everyone must choose where to live their life, but we must offer everyone the opportunity to return.” The president of the Messina Democratic Party, Valentina Martino, closed the press conference, indicating that the Festival was an opportunity to return to “taking place, being in the middle, discussing”. Central to his speech was the right to choose: “What we can offer them is the right to choose, not just the right to stay.”
The themes and initiatives of the three days
The program includes debates on the Constitution, industry and energy transition, climate and territory, territorial healthcare, insularity and internal areas. National and European parliamentarians, mayors, trade unions, universities and associations will participate. Alongside the political meetings and the four book presentations, there will be space for live music, the food area, the artisans’ market and sport with the Dino Smedile Memorial triangular five-a-side football team.