Piera, a resident in Poggio alla Croce

In these last few years a lot has changed

Things were different before, people were simpler

They often came into the centre.

Now they stay at home,

the village is less lived in.

Before we were all concentrated on my shop.

Most of the world,

most of life took place around it.

A place to meet, to understand each other,

maybe argue with different opinions

but still have a dialogue. That was life,

in my view that really was.

Andrea, who conceived the welcoming project

Poggio alla Croce could be defined

as “a small Switzerland”

Located in a beautiful spot

between Chianti and Valdarno

Residents are busy at work

and like to collaborate.

In summer a nice festival is organized

attracting people from both valleys

When problems arise, like with ice in winter,

informations flow over the internet.

Looked like and ideal place

Then in April 2017 the “bomb” went off:

thirty migrants to be hosted in the “palace”,

a former hotel middle of village

It sounded as if a spaceship full

of little black men was about to land

Piera

Black men are coming. Black men are coming.

We are all with our hairs raised,

very worried, me too to be honest because

you hear a lot of good

but also bad about these youngsters

Andrea

The strongest reaction, intense and wide,

was an immediate refusal,

a “belly” reaction that caused

an immediate decision

to collect signatures against,

in less than three days

230 signatures were collected

Even though the Poggio’s residents

are around 190.

Attilia, a teacher in the the school for migrants

A first meeting was held

one and half year ago in summer

before the migrants arrived,

so we did not know them

They had no face for us, they had no name

I don’t live in Poggio alla Croce,

I come from a nearby village

During the meeting there were

some very aggressive people,

I guess they were sincerely scared

Martin, parson of Poggio alla Croce

Their reaction was not due to being bad.

Behind there was also a reality

that must be told. It must be told that

none was pepared because none

had been alerted that these foreigner,

these migrants were coming

Paolo, a resident in Poggio alla Croce

Someone started collecting signatures,

and I agreed only because I wanted to know

where would these kids be hosted,

what did they come for then it became

clear that this was not the reason

they did not want to welcome them

So I said my signature was extorted

and was not in agreement any more