Lamezia, presentation of Maria Procopio’s book ‘Rediscovering Medea – from the myth to anti-violence centres’ at the Bartoleomea Oasis

Lamezia Terme – A book of stories and commitment. Of life and combating violence against women. The ancient myth of Medea compared with contemporary times. Saturday 4 May in the Bartoleomea Oasis Hall at 6pm CAV Demetra of Lamezia Terme presents the book by Maria Procopio: “Rediscovering Medea – From the myth to the anti-violence centers: the words, the stories”. The book, published by Rubbettino Editore, gives voice to the stories and testimonies of women, operators and volunteers who provide their professionalism within anti-violence centers throughout Calabria. An effective social account that crosses the classical literature of the myth and recomposes it by shuffling the cards.

Maria Procopio, through a revisitation of the myth of Medea, wants to find “a relationship between male violence against women and the ancient roots of this violence. To do this she meets those who work in the field today, those who “get their hands dirty” by listening and the welcome, with those who accompany the women in a delicate and necessary work of freedom. And for this reason the dialogue is double. In Lamezia Terme she came into contact with the workers of the CAV Demetra and with them she wrote the pages on the Anti-Violence Centre. which for thirteen years has been a point of reference for combating violence against women in the city and its hinterland”.

From the back cover we discover that “the recovery of the features of the archaic Medea has allowed us to imagine this mythical figure outside the logic of revenge and oppression that can characterize the relationship between genders within patriarchal culture. At the same time it has made it possible to place her “ancient” voice alongside that of the operators who find themselves working in anti-violence centers. Their voices, – we read again – those of the operators, give the sense of a work that is also “political” and not. only service and invite, together with the voice of Medea, to a relationship between genders outside the logic of dominance and respectful of the value of differences”. The dialogue with the author Maria Procopio and with Giovanna VingelliUnical teacher and editor of the book’s preface, will be hosted by the journalist Maria Pia Tucci.