A new illustrated book called "AJAJA=ayeeyo: Words that unite the Mediterranean" tells the stories of people who crossed the desert and the sea on rickety boats amidst violence and fear. The stories are inspired by the true stories of refugees in Sardinia.
The book presented on January 3 contains words and pictures inspired by refugees in Sardinia hosted by the San Gavino project. The project aims to give a voice to recently arrived migrants, a human tide fleeing wars, poverty, and persecution.
The book is the result of a collaboration between the association Chine Vaganti and a project of the "San Gavino Humanitas" System for Protection of International Protection Holders and Unaccompanied Foreign Minors (Siproimi).
Six imaginary stories
The six imaginary stories in the book were inspired by the true stories of young people from the project. The stories, authored by Marcello Lasio, Andrea Pau Melis and Spooky Alec, are the memories of those who crossed the desert and the sea on rickety boats amidst violence, fear, hope, and even small gestures of solidarity from travelling companions.
The book is brought to life with illustrations by Alessandro Aroffu, Sofy Inconis, Elena Murgia, Nicola Wonderland, Maurizio Nonnis, Boccolo Andrea Orru, Roberta Pisanu, Sara Secci, Monica Twins Tronci Pau, Luca Usai, Laura Vacca, and Jean Claudio Vinci. The cover art is by Giacomo Putzu. The book also includes a contribution by the journalist Manuel Scordo.
"Speaking about reception assumes an essential point, the acceptance of another and his culture, his lived experience, his world," said Diego Serra, coordinator of the project, in the book's preface. "If this presupposition isn't there, welcoming doesn't exist, just separated worlds that don't converse," Serra said.
The City of Campidano and the cooperative Recherche are partners in the project. The book's proceeds will go to support development and cooperation initiatives in Africa.