In memory of Daniela Fortunato, a social worker from Andria who passed away prematurely

The aim of the meeting was to “light a fire that can inflame the heart of political institutions” and raise their awareness of the serious problems that afflict the lands throughout Italy. Not only that, the conference “50 years of peasant struggles in the land of Bari”, hosted at the “Giuseppe Ceci” municipal library, was organized to remember a young woman who left too soon, Daniela Fortunato, social worker, trade unionist and volunteer passed away in August 2022 at just 39 years old.

The tribute to Daniela in the words of those who knew her and then through the analysis of her degree thesis in contemporary history which, among other things, gave the title to the meeting. The 28th “international day of peasant struggle”, which falls on 17 April, in Andria was expressed in this way, with this initiative lived between the rigor of history and the transport of emotions, those of Daniela’s friends, such as Luigi Antonucci, volunteer of the Casa Accoglienza “Santa Maria Goretti” which also moderated the event.

Participating in the evening were Giuseppe de Leonardis, former secretary of FLAI CGIL Puglia and Vito di Bari, historian and former secretary of Federbraccianti CGIL Andria.

The professor of contemporary history Mario Spagnoletti, with whom Daniela Fortunato discussed her thesis, expected among the guests, was not able to participate in the evening, but made a point of sharing with those present a video message projected at the conclusion of the works which, instead, was they are opened with greetings from Daniela di Bari, councilor for Beauty, and from Don Geremia Acri, director of the “Santa Maria Goretti” Hospitality House.

Focus of the conference, a historical excursus of the problems that have gripped agricultural work from the early years of the twentieth century to the present day: labor exploitation, gangmastering, contractual and salary rights of labourers, are just some of the topics addressed.

“If in the 60s and 70s the trade union movement grew, contributing to the overall improvement of the socio-cultural conditions of workers, today as then the rights recognized are still lacking”, explained de Leonardis.