Moroccan migrants have been settling on Salina, an island off Italy, for years. "The history of the Moroccan community in Salina starts well before the recent events [on Lampedusa] and is an example of integration," declares Clara Rametta the mayor of Malfa, one of three municipalities on the small Aeolian island of Salina, off Sicily.

"Moroccans work in every field, from construction to agriculture to catering, we all love them very much. They are now part of the community, indispensable, and without them the community would suffer" continues Rametta.,

Rametta explains to ANSAmed that two Moroccan cuisine festivals were organized in Malfa in the past, with typical Moroccan dishes offered for collective tastings and music for the benefit of the islanders, in a meeting of cultures.

Multicultural nativity

"They are so integrated that at Christmas they participate in the live nativity scene, Moroccans and other Africans present in Salina are part of a celebration that is not theirs. And this is because the rapprochement between our culture and theirs is not unilateral, but mutual", comments the mayor, who also underlines the presence of various initiatives in local schools.

Before her political career, mayor Rametta was an entrepreneur who in the 80s started to renovate old ruins, the original nucleus of today's Signum hotel, featuring a restaurant that boasts Michelin-starred cuisine.

Rametta criticizes the approach of the Italian government's 'migrant flows decree.' She says that has promised to provide accommodation and not taken into account the number of living units needed.

"There is mismanagement of a phenomenon that has been going on for years while a more rational, organized approach is needed. These people are fleeing from wars, floods, drought, they need opportunities and we have a job to give, but the laws have become rigid and companies can't take illegal immigrants because they would end up violating the law, so you can't help these people on the run, even if you want to", she comments regretfully.

Positive stories

Smahane Sammoudi, a 23-year-old woman of Moroccan origin who arrived in 2005, is enthusiastic about the welcome she discovered in Salina. "I was born in a town near Casablanca and my grandfather was the first Moroccan from the Aeolian Islands to move from Salina to Filicudi. Then my father arrived and finally me and my family, we stayed in Filicudi for a few years but there wasn't much work, so we moved to Salina", she tells ANSAmed, recalling with a light in her eyes the Moroccan cuisine festivals she helped organize.

"We found openness and availability that are absent elsewhere. I have been working at Signum [hotel] for seven years, like my aunt and my mother. After language high school I chose to attend a course to become a hairdresser in Brescia, where I noticed a very hostile attitude towards me. I am looking forward to finishing it in seven to eight months so I can return to Salina to start my new profession, and maybe I'll return to Signum to do hairstyling for Mrs. Clara and the hotel customers", she smiles hopefully.

'I learn a lot every day'

Another story of successful integration is that of Morlaye Touré: "I arrived without documents in 2009, I was married but my wife was in Guinea and I didn't see her for four years. Clara Rametta allowed me to support my family, at Signum I do a bit of everything while my wife takes care of the rooms," he says.

"Now I am 33 years old and have three children who study here, the people are all kind and helpful. Mrs. Rametta's husband explains to me what to do and how in collaboration with other colleagues, for example I can help maintain the garden.

He also teaches me Italian, because I only speak French and I attended schools in Guinea. In my life I have always only studied and played football, but thanks to the help found here I am now in continuous training and I learn a lot every day. For this I am very grateful , I know that many do not have the same opportunities they offered me", Touré concludes.