Beyond slogans, concrete commitment. There are three days left until the celebrations of the National Day against violence against women and there are many initiatives scattered across the territory to say “no” to a social plague that can and must also be combated through culture. And so meetings, ribbon cuttings, shows, appeals arrive from each of the Municipalities of Empolese Valdelsa. It’s a rich calendar, the one designed to pay homage to the memory of the 96 women killed in the first ten months of this year. A tragic toll, an emergency that led the Municipality of Empoli to ask for “One minute of noise” in the city’s schools. The trial of Giulia Cecchettin’s self-confessed ex-boyfriend, Filippo Turetta, is currently underway before the Court of Assizes of Venice. The victim’s sister asked not to remain silent but to express anger and indignation. The appeal was accepted by the municipal administration of Empoli.
“We want to invite the girls and boys of the schools of Empoli to make a minute of noise in class on November 25th – is the message from councilors Valentina Torrini and Maria Grazia Pasqualetti, with responsibility for Equal Opportunities and Schools –. Male violence against women is not an individual phenomenon, but a collective and structural one. We need to make noise to raise the collective awareness that is still missing and which can represent the turning point.” Teach respect. “We hope – this is the hope of Mayor Alessio Mantellassi – that the school directors will accept this proposal”. The Centro*Empoli will also host awareness initiatives. Tomorrow at 10.30 there will be the conference ‘Invisible children: witnessed violence’, organized by the Donna Lilith Help Center and the Empoli Members’ Section. A way to discover the reality of witnessing violence and understand how to support the most vulnerable.
Tuesday 26th and Saturday 30th from 5.30pm to 7pm, space for self-defence pills with two practical sessions of the Judo Kodokan Empoli. To make a contribution to the cause, you can participate in the aperitif dinner in support of Lilith on Thursday 28th at 7.15pm at the Sovigliana club. The evening will close at 9.15pm with the event ‘The voice of women’ at Villa Reghini. Stories of rebirth’ accompanied by the music of Emy Galan. Two days of music, words and a special flash mob in Certaldo; it starts tomorrow in Piazza Boccaccio from 3pm to 6pm, when citizens will be able to fill the big red heart by bringing colorful objects and clothing. Continue at 3.30pm with ‘Riempiamo il cuore’, a show by the theater group ‘La porta al sole’ and ‘IRagazzi di Guazza borrana’. At 4pm ‘My body in freedom’, performance by the Accademia della Danza and to close the collective event ‘Respect’, a flash mob choreographed by Kinesis. The installation ‘I’m not your barbie’, a project by Officina dell’Arte in collaboration with ‘Ipotesi Teatrale’ against bullying and violence against women, will also be present on Saturday in the square and on Sunday at Palazzo Pretorio. A provocative work to say no to gender stereotypes. “We must all be an active part of social and cultural change – says the Equal Opportunities councilor Clara Conforti – We must free our society from cultural legacies and prejudices and stereotypes, we must support anti-violence centres, educate on affection and respect starting from schools”. We remind you that a call to 1522 is enough to try to take the first step towards regaining your freedom.
Y.C.
