In Messina, on the facade of the “Francesco Maurolico” Classical High School in Corso Cavour 56, on 27 May 2024 at 11.30 am, the “Wall of Dolls”, the first wall against gender violence in Southern Italy, will be inaugurated. The event will be held in the presence of the city authorities and will be chaired by the school director Giovanna De Francesco, with the participation of the writer and journalist Cinzia Alibrandi, the designer Martino Midali and various personalities from the cultural and social world.
The “Wall of Dolls” project was born from the “Come una Bambola” initiative of the “Francesco Maurolico” Classical High School, strongly supported and implemented by the Headmaster Giovanna De Francesco and the contribution of teachers, students and Cinzia Alibrandi, who oversaw the artistic field. The event will begin with institutional greetings and an introduction by Giovanna De Francesco, followed by the presentation and moderation of the debate by Cinzia Alibrandi, in the Aula Magna of the “Maurolico”.
Greeting videos by Jo Squillo, multifaceted artist and creator of the “Wall of Dolls”, by the journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, by the actress Dalila Di Lazzaro and by the actor Alessandro Quasimodo will be screened. This wall, unique in Southern Italy, adds to those already present in cities such as Milan, Rome and Genoa, and becomes part of the international circuit founded by Jo Squillo in 2014. In 2019, “Wall of Dolls” became a non-profit organization, with the aim of raising awareness and combating gender violence.
During the inauguration, designer pigottes created by Martino Midali and Cinzia Alibrandi will be placed on the wall, as well as those by the Headmaster Giovanna De Francesco and “Maurolico”. Among the personalities present, there will be the Mayor Federico Basile, the Prefect Cosima Di Stani and the Rector of the University of Messina Giovanna Spatari. Furthermore, Martino Midali will have his limited edition “LOVE DOES NOT HURT” t-shirts worn, the proceeds of which will support the “Cerchi D’Acqua” women’s anti-violence centre.
At 6.30 pm, in the Aula Magna, the “Maurolico Messina Book Festival” will be held, conceived and directed by Cinzia Alibrandi, with free admission. This festival, sponsored by the “Maurolico” high school, involves the active participation of students and will host various authors who will dialogue with Cinzia Alibrandi. Among the guests there will be Giusi Arimatea with the novel “Una vita a cottimo”, Carmela Mento and Francesco Pira with the essay “Violence in a click”, and Martino Midali with his biography “The fabric of my life – a mixture of warp and weft”, written with Cinzia Alibrandi.
The day will culminate with a fashion show by the “Maison Midali”, during which the students of the “Maurolico” will wear items from three capsule collections: bi-material jersey, chiffon and pleats. These garments, characterized by versatility, lightness and innovation, represent the identity of the Midali brand, blending practicality and elegance in a unique and recognizable style.
This event represents an important moment of reflection and awareness on gender violence, while promoting culture and social commitment among the younger generations.
