(June 10 2016) The spotlight in Valletta are on the migrant crisis, thanks to the discussion of an exceptional witness and the story of the great Italian cinema. An exciting encounter with Dr. Pietro Bartolo, director of Health Services in Lampedusa, who has been working on the front lines for 25 years of the health, social and humanitarian crisis that characterises immigration in the Mediterranean. Salvatore Schirmo, director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Valletta who has promoted and collaborated in the event along with Fabrizio Ellul from UNHCR Malta (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and Neil Falzon representativeve of the NGO Aditus Foundation have attended the doctor’s press conference coordinated by the director of the Valletta Film Festival, Oliver Mallia. The event was organised for the occasion of the screening of the documentary film “Fuocammare” by Gianfranco Rosi, starring Dr. Bartolo, was awarded the Goldean Bear for best picture at the last Berlin Film Festival. The film, in Italian language with English subtitles, was proposed in the context of Valletta’s second edition of the Film Festival, set in the historic seat of Fort St. Elmo where the parade ground of the Knight’s Fortress was transformed into an open air arena. The screening was preceded by a welcoming salute to the Italian Ambassador to Malta, Giovanni Umberto De Vito with a message from Dr. Bartolo and speeches by UNHCR and EASO (European Asylum Support Office). “I would like to thank the organisers of this festival who have permitted me to be here to talk about the tragedy that is occurring in the 21st century in the Mediterranean- affirmed Dr. Bartolo in his speech- I would like to thank Maestro Rosi, who has given me the opportunity to participate in this documentary that launches an explosive message that seeks to make the world understand what is occurring in Lampedusa and in the Mediterranean: I hope that we can amplify this message together in order to sensitise whoever is able to help and to whoever turns the other cheek. This is my objective and this is my hope, may there finally be an end to this horrible chapter in the story of humanity”. (Red)
