Along Corso Umberto I, the modern Emigrants Monument of 2005 in the panoramic viewpoint and the ancient Church of Santa Reparata of 1447 make a new, harmonious and embracing architectural area. The people of Casoli have emigrated since mid-nineteenth-century and mainly after World War II towards different continents; the city wished to pay a tribute to their “respectful way and contribution to migration flows”, with an artistic and symbolic monument by the academic sculptor Vito Bucciarelli, born in Abruzzo in the town of San Vito Chietino, and the architect Antonino Casella.

Emigration is represented by both the 5 columns around the fountains, and water as a transportation road to search a more socially and economically dignified life abroad. Each of the 5 columns is made of a different marble, representing a continent welcoming the migrants from Casoli.

Above the columns, pouring water in the basin, five small bronze figures suspended on the cosmic balance, supporting the visual memory of the emigrant, and the same does the suitcase at the foot of the monument, being the symbol of journey. A granite compass rose makes the base of the monument, representing the directions towards which the emigrants have always directed, and still direct, their destiny.

According to the concept of the sculptor Vito Bucciarelli, man has always had to leave his native land, by any means going through the planet’s geography (land, sea and sky) occupying almost every corner of the Earth, is now about to emigrate outside the terrestrial globe.

The memorial was set with the cooperation of the Municipality of Casoli and thanks to the extraordinary generosity and donation of Tony Fini, who emigrated to Australia in 1951 and became a great magnate of the building sector and of the production of olive oil in Perth.

[Credits | Text: Ottavio Di Renzo De Laurentis | Translation: Mirella Rapa | Voice and music: Studio Qreate | Photo: Laura Di Biase]