The press conference of the official presentation of the cultural projects “Eco di Radici” and “Mirë Se Erdhet Picilia – Second edition”, promoted by the Pro Loco Picilia Picilia APS UNPLI and by the Cultural Association “Carolina Novello – the rebirth of Arbëreshë”, was held at the
Two distinct projects, but fully integrated into a single strategic vision: that of making culture and local identity a stable engine of territorial tourism development. “Echo of roots” and “Mirë Se Erdhet Picilia” are not commercial actions, they are not events fine to themselves. They are pieces of a broad, systemic planning, built over time and intended to generate lasting effects in the medium term, on an economic, social and cultural level.
To illustrate this vision with strength and clarity was the project manager of the two projects, Dr. Iolanda AF Cuomo, who traced the guidelines of a participatory and sustainable path:
“With these projects we are not simply organizing events. We are building a recognizable tourist identity for Santa Caterina Albanese. We are generating relationships, networks, content. We want this country to become a true destination for slow, conscious, cultural tourism. And to do so it serves method, listening, and above all continuity.”
The presence of Dr. Manuela Filice, head of the Unpli Calabria communication and the De.Co Identituan project, who illustrated the regional and national scope of an initiative focused on identity and territorial excellence, is of extraordinary importance. A project that involves the identity stylist Luigia Granata and which, as underlined by the same film, could soon extend to Santa Caterina Albanese, who recently approved – on the motion of the councilor Iolanda Cuomo of the Mixed Group – the De.Co Regulation
“This is Calabria who tells herself with dignity. That does not cry on you, but that designs, proposes, is put on the net. A virtuous example of promotion from below.”
There are also two fundamental figures for the associative life of the territory: Assunta Novello, president of the Carolina Novello Association, and Franca Salerno, honorary president of the Pro Loco Picilia APS UNPLI, both witnesses of the constant commitment that over the years has been able to unite memory, identity and innovation.
To embellish the meeting also the passionate intervention of Giulio Pignataro, tourist promoter and authoritative voice of Calabrian food and wine tourism, who reiterated the urgency of “a tourism that knows how to tell the real places, the authentic people, the stories that remain”.
The press conference was also followed in direct Facebook and the full video is available at the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16rdhbcchd/?mibexid=wwxfre
The two projects will come to life during the summer of 2025, with a rich program of events that will involve the center with the ancient historic village and the hamlets of Joggi and Pianette. The detailed calendar will be published in the next few days.