Unbroken Humanity

with migrants along the Balkan route

September 6–25, 2019

The project

*Umanità InInterRotta* is a journey across the land borders of the Balkan Route, from the Syrian-Turkish border all the way to Italy. It is a cry of solidarity with those migrants stranded at the borders and often forgotten by the European Union, as well as a story of small sparks of hope brought by those who stand by their side every day. It is also a condemnation of trampled rights, endless waiting, and silent violence—a message to be shared with international organizations, government agencies, associations, schools, and European civil society.

The idea behind Umanità InInterRotta stems from the desire to become migrants alongside migrants, striving firsthand to bridge the gap between those who, like us, hold a passport that opens every border and offers every possibility, and those who, on the other hand, dream of Europe but find only a path blocked by walls, violent pushbacks, and endless waits in refugee camps or makeshift settlements. We want to follow in the footsteps of migrants on their journey toward Europe, meeting the people and communities living in transit areas and learning about the best practices for reception and inclusion implemented by those who, despite the difficulties, strive to embrace solidarity and build bridges. Through our narrative—both written and audiovisual—we aim to help give a voice to the lives stranded at the borders and to build paths of solidarity, including through volunteer work.

“Umanità InInterRotta” will depart from Gaziantep (Turkey) and stop in Kirsehir and Izmir (Turkey), Samos, Athens, and Thessaloniki (Greece), Skopje (Macedonia), Belgrade (Serbia), Sarajevo, Velika Kladusa, and Bihac (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Zagreb (Croatia), and Ljubljana (Slovenia), finally ending in Trieste (Italy).

Upon our return, we plan to design and organize public awareness-raising events—art installations featuring photos, videos, text, and sound—targeted at the communities of Turin, Milan, Rome, Siena, Naples, Bari, Palermo, Lisbon, Luxembourg City, London, Paris, Geneva, Chieri, Villafranca Piemonte, and Bassano del Grappa. In addition, we want to share what we have heard and experienced with Italian and international institutions, as well as participate in events of national and European significance, such as: “Design your community 2019” from October 4 to 10, 2019, in Milan; Festival des migrations, des cultures et de la citoyenneté, February 28–March 1, 2020, in Luxembourg City; the European Youth Event in May 2020 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg; and a workshop as part of “Padua—European Capital of Volunteering 2020” in Padua.

Who we are

Since 1887, the Scalabrinian Missionaries have been serving migrants and refugees in 32 countries. They are committed—even in situations of humanitarian crisis—to protecting, supporting, welcoming, and integrating migrants and refugees. They operate along borders and in transit countries in Central America, Africa, and Asia, conducting research and awareness-raising activities through seven research centers, radio stations, and print media, as well as development cooperation projects and support programs for migrants in their destination countries. The Scalabrini International Migration Network brings together Scalabrinian NGOs that work with migrants and refugees around the world.

Umanità InInterRotta is a project conceived by Via Scalabrini 3, the Office for Intercultural Youth Ministry of the Scalabrinian Missionaries in Europe, a member of the Scalabrinian Agency for Development Cooperation.

ASCS – Scalabrinian Agency for Development Cooperation is the operational arm in the social, cultural, political, and development cooperation sectors of the Giovanni Battista Scalabrini Region of the Scalabrinian Missionaries, who work in Europe and Africa. ASCS was established to provide technical support to Scalabrinian mission posts working in the field of migration and human mobility (economic migrants, displaced persons, refugees, and seafarers) across various continents. It currently operates with volunteers and staff in Haiti (Port-au-Prince), Colombia (Cúcuta), Bolivia (Cochabamba), South Africa (Cape Town), Mozambique (Nampula), the Philippines (Dumaguete), India (Gurgaon), Ecuador (Manta), the Mexico-U.S. border (Tijuana, Guadalajara, and Nuevo Laredo), and in Italy through its programs Via Scalabrini 3 (Bassano del Grappa – Vi –), Casa Scalabrini 634, and Humilitas (Rome).

ASCS works to welcome and facilitate the social and occupational integration of migrants and refugees in transit and destination areas in Italy, Europe, and Africa. It trains and deploys volunteers and staff to the various Scalabrinian missions that request their assistance and carries out awareness-raising and informational activities on migration and its challenges. Through its programs and projects in Italy and abroad, it works in the areas of intercultural youth education, migrant reception, and the integration of diverse communities through courses, activities, and events.

Who is Barbara Beltramello?

Barbara Beltramello is studying photojournalism at the Danish School of Media and Journalism in Aarhus, Denmark. She has participated in international exhibitions with some of her photographs.
Some of her photo essays have been published in Mexican newspapers and in *Io Donna*. She works as a videographer with media outlets such as AJ Plus, the BBC, National Geographic, The Huffington Post, and the Discovery Network Channel, among others (https://www.barbarabeltramello.com)

Organizing Committee: Alcedir Cigognini, Alessandro Piovano, Barbara Beltramello, Davide Pignata, Ennio Brilli, Martina Cociglio, Milena Baretta, Miriam Casetta, Nicola Zolin, Paola Tellatin, Valentina Scala, Simone Garbero, Fr. René Manenti, Fr. Jonas Donazzolo.

Project Partner: Chiesa del Carmine – Milan

Produced with the support of the Hakuna Matata Association.