Crotone, arson damages Sirelli’s work San Nikolaus. It was inaugurated in memory of the victims of the Cutro massacre

The work called “San Nikolaus”, created by Massimo Sirelli and located inside the Pitagora park in Crotone, was damaged by arson. The fire was started by unknown persons at dawn on May 21st using a rubbish bin positioned under the hull as a trigger. The monument was inaugurated on April 13th […]

The work called “Saint Nikolaus“, made by Massimo Sirelli and located inside the Pitagora park Crotonewas damaged by a arson. The fire was started by unknown at dawn May 21st using a rubbish bin positioned under the hull as a trigger. The monument was inaugurated on April 13 last in memory of the victims of Cutro massacre and its partial destruction triggered various reactions, such as that of the filmmaker: “Everything does sadness. I can’t understand why.” The firefighters of the Crotone provincial command intervened on site.

According to initial reconstructions, the criminals entered the park by breaking a large one chain and lit the flames by placing the bin full of waste under the artwork. “The artistic work was the result of a lot of effort and taking note of what happened is ago anger“, commented Sirelli. The artist worked on the work starting from skeleton of the San Nikolaus, a barge of 12 meters which had landed at the port of Crotone on March 22, 2022 with on board 12 migrants of Kurdish nationality. The wreck was therefore transformed into a work dedicated to hospitality, which has now been partly destroyed: “These situations can make us reflect on the lack of awareness of whoever made the gesture because he certainly didn’t understand what he was defacing. Today young people are probably much more sensitive to the common good than in the past and for this very reason this gesture can only be a tool to reflect their educators,” Sirelli added in a note.

The reaction also lasts mayor of the city Vincenzo Voce: “This is a shameful act committed by unspeakable people. Sirelli’s work is a symbol of hospitality And solidarity, the testimony of the generosity and openness towards others of the Crotone community. We are close to the association #I remain who had proposed the initiative and al Jobel Consortium who manages the park. We will work to ensure that the work is restored.” The Jobel Consortium also took a position, wondering “if behind these acts of vandalism there is the direction of someone who he doesn’t like it the development promoted within this common good” and claiming “greater protections for those who place themselves at the service of the community in solidarity.” This morning’s is the third fire started within a few weeks. The other two, also lit inside the park, had damaged benches and trees.