An exhibit on the island of Procida unveils thousands of stories of locals who migrated to North Africa and France in search of a better life, showcasing the routes taken by islanders, in particular fishermen, to shine a light on the significant migration flows still connecting the island in the Gulf of Naples to the rest of the world.

The show called 'Racines. Procida e il viaggio nel Mediterraneo' (Racines.Procida and the journey in the Mediterranean) runs until October 31 at Palazzo d'Avalos, a complex that used to house the island's prison.

The exhibit, which is open during the palace's visiting hours, displays the island's migration flows through documents and photos from the beginning of the 1800s, when several groups of fishermen left the island in search of a better future, initially to seek employment as seasonal workers.

In particular, many travelled to the coast of northern Algeria, where, after the country's independence in 1962, they eventually settled down. Others moved to the southern coast of France and inland.

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Exhibit formerly showcased in Marseille

The exhibit, which formerly opened for a few months at the Italian Cultural Institute in Marseille, was extremely successful, showcasing for the first time images, documents and reports on the extraordinary Mediterranean journey of Procida natives.

Black and white photos on display portray, for instance, emigres working in a preserves factory as well as images of everyday life, often connected to the protagonists' roots.

Photos and videos, for instance, show large crowds attending the procession of San Michele Arcangelo, displaying a strong religious and cultural bond between the migrants' native island and their host country through a ceremony that Procida emigres organized in Algeria and in France with the same fervent and passionate dedication on display at home.

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Strong connection between Procida and France

The inauguration event was attended by Lise Moutoumalaya, France's consul general for southern Italy and the director of the Grenoble Institute, who highlighted the strong bond between Procida and France.

The project organized by the municipality of Procida, in cooperation with the associations 'La Fenice', 'La Grande Famille de Procida & Ischia' and 'Saint Michel di Mentone', is part of a wider program to promote a form of tourism tied to cultural toots on which "we have long invested", explained the tourism councillor of Procide, Leonardo Costagliola.

The project is supported by the Campania Region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Culture Ministry, Italea Campania, a project dedicated to tourists of Italian origin who want to rediscover their roots, and Marina di Procida.