33 Isole
From Ustica to Venice: Sailing alone to discover the future of Italy's small islands
Abstract
33 Isole (33 Islands) is a project based on a voyage.
An original voyage around all the small inhabited Italian islands onboard a small and bizarre sailboat with no cabin, alone.
A voyage in search of the future of these tiny spots rather than the echo of their past, a voyage with the intent to meet those young people whose strong sense of belonging has led to build up their ambitious, modern, or innovative dreams right in the islands. The picture of a piece of Italy and of the Mediterranean apparently marginal yet real, alive. Important.
Lucio, the man behind the project, left onboard Maribelle, the sailboat, on April, 15 2018 from Palermo (Sicily). After more than 2800 nautical miles and about 90 interviews, he reached the Venice Lagoon on August, 23 2018.
He did visit 33 islands and satisfied, for the time being at least, his thirst for adventure.
the Book and the documentary
Lucio has written a book, divided into two volumes, about the voyage, published in March 2023 by the Italian label Mursia.
In the tradition of travel diaries, mixing adventure, introspection, and social research, the book aims at creating a chorus made by the voices of the inhabitans of the islands. Their song is, among other subjects, about their being abused during the short touristic summer months and left alone for the rest of the year.
From the shots recorded throughout the journey, a documentary is currently under way. The American productors Bonnemaison and Ed Media are working on it, whereas the talented Alberto Bougleux is in charge of scripting and editing.
Where to buy 33 isole books
Both volumes are available, as eBooks too, through all the online stores (for the time being, in Italian only!).
Nonetheless, if you’re in Italy, you might want to check the local bookstores: through your purchase, you’ll contribute to keep the small shops alive in a historical moment where we need it the most.
