“Dear Messina,
you are the city in which I returned to live after many years of distance. You are the one that many despise for its negative sides and shortcomings, but you are the city that I know and love for the beauty that you contain. You have an extraordinary history and cultural richness and a wonderful geographical position. I hope that your administrators can, in time, cure your ills and that your children can love you more than they know how to do today…”.
This is the incipit of a letter addressed to the city of Messina written by Maria Francesca Tommasini, author of the book “MessinaTantestorie. Itineraries for little travellers”. Tommasini has been busy touring the schools of Messina and the metropolitan city for months to meet the kids who have read her book and who always welcome her with festive euphoria.
The author, in the letter, continues: – “I am teaching children to get to know you, to discover your corners, your squares, your monuments, your legends, your history and your traditions, so that they can become aware and become themselves promoters of the beauty that exudes from every corner of you”.
Yes because, often, the inattentive observer, walking along the streets of Messina and entering houses and buildings, does not raise his gaze and does not pay attention to the inscriptions, to the symbols that stand out on facades and gates, to the places that bring characters or events to life historical stories capable of surprising and fascinating. “MessinaManystories. Itineraries for little travellers” tells of a trip to Messina, poised between mystery and reality, undertaken by a young boy and his family. Here, taking Voltaire, we could say that if it is true that Messina can be loved or hated, Maria Francesca Tommasini will certainly make you fall in love with the journey!
