Beatrice Spano, a native of Gesico who emigrated to Milan several decades ago, is the winner of the first edition of the "Isola lontana, anima acanta" photography competition, sponsored by the Pro Loco and the Municipality of Gesico in collaboration with the ACLI (Italian Association of Cultural Associations) as part of the 28th Emigrants' Festival. The theme chosen for this edition was "Departure and Integration." Spano, president of the Cesano Boscone Sardinian Club and director of the SEU (Sardi Emigrati Uniti), has been committed to promoting the island's culture and traditions among Sardinian communities on the mainland for years. What won over the jury were the captions for the two photographs submitted, which captured the story of her separation from Sardinia and, at the same time, the relationship she built with her new community.
"The captions are themselves poems," the jury stated, "which captured the theme of departure and, above all, the level of integration into the host community, while maintaining a strong connection to one's homeland."
In the first image, titled "The Departure," Spano depicts separation through small, everyday gestures: "You leave with a suitcase full of clothes, but above all you take with you what you can't fold: the bond with your homeland." The second photograph, "Sardinia in Piazza Duomo," portrays the round dance as a symbol of belonging and the ability to transform one's traditions "into a shared gift." Second place went to Daniela Erriu, born in Gesico and emigrated to Montemurlo, Tuscany, at a young age. Third place went to Franco Piseddu, a longtime resident of Wolfsburg, Germany, where he has built a strong integration journey. Eighteen emigrants participated in the competition, submitting 36 photographs in total. Five works reached the final stage. The organizers were very satisfied, and have already announced their intention to see the next edition.
