There are those who have a passion for travel and the desire to live in other places in their blood. Those who cannot stay still in one place, but want to discover new and different ways of being. This is the story of one of them. She is Berni (real name is Bernadette, but everyone is always wrong to write it and has given up on saying it in full), that passing through Moscow and Los Angeles, she landed in Great Britain, where does the shooting in Surrey. And the mum. Bilingual.
A photographer in Surrey: the origins
Where do you come from?
I come from a small town near Napoli. I studied languages, Polish and Russian, because I was fascinated by the oriental world. I have always had a passion for travel and since I was a child I have wanted to live abroad. First it was Russia: I went four times to Moscow and surroundings, while I was studying the art of the Russian avant-garde for the thesis. Indeed, this has brought me to the other side of the world, a Los Angeles.
An Italian studying Russian in the United States. Bizarre.
There I did the doctorate. But I soon realized that the academic career towards which I was launched it wasn't for me: was not compatible with the family. I still have many friends on the other side of the ocean and I appreciate the many positives of the United States. But their typical individualistic culture, obsessed with success and work, sometimes even closed, in which everyone learns to do it alone, without even counting on family and without much time or desire to make friends, he didn't look like me at all.
In addition to friends, you met your partner in Los Angeles.
Yup, Paul. He comes from Stratford-upon-Avon and does the software engineer. After three and a half years that I was there I decided to follow him to Great Britain. His visa had expired and he had to return. The plan was to stay here for only a year and then return to the United States.
A photographer in Surrey: the arrival in the UK
In the end you decided to stay instead.
I had given up on my college career. Paul got a job here. So we stayed. I find this country much more suited to my measure, less focused on work and where people are not that ambitious.
And then the baby came.
I wanted to build a family. In addition to taking care of him full time (he is now 10 months old) I have dusted off my old passion for photography. In the beginning I also had a pop-up shop in Reading, where we live, together with a young designer who made hats, while now I'm a freelance. I had decided well before the baby's arrival that I didn't want to miss anything from his early years. Even though I haven't given up on work entirely: it stimulates me and keeps me busy.
A photographer in Surrey: the future
How do you find yourself in Great Britain?
I understand that if you go to a place and you can make it yours, above all by creating a network of people with whom he is comfortable, you can be happy anywhere. Here I like the fact that there is no defeatism that is often felt in Italy. In addition to all the specific problems that a city like Naples has. Yet I am not one of those who would tear up the Italian passport. In our country I see some positive sides, such as the sense of community that is lacking elsewhere.
And with Brexit, are you thinking of moving?
I never had the idea of going back in Italy, from an early age I wanted to travel and live abroad. I really like the experience of being abroad, that's what I've always wanted. The idea instead of moving to another country is there, to continue to know different places. Although I realize that starting over every time is more and more tiring. Of course, Brexit is a bad sign of closure. Although I think they will eventually come to an agreement.
A photographer in Surrey: the Italian mothers project in Great Britain
In addition to photography, there is another project that has been keeping you busy recently.
Yup. It all started from the meeting with another future Italian mother in the preparatory course. I realized that, as I had found her, with whom we have become very friends and with whom we support each other, the other Italian mothers also needed and wanted to find friendships, support, information. And to fight the loneliness and isolation you often feel when you move abroad, to a country where you don't know anyone.
Thus it was born italianmums, a Facebook group that is now also a site, with the ambition of expanding its range of action and from Reading get to all of Britain. In addition to mothers-children meetings to play (them) and chat (us), to events in which to talk about what touches us closely, for example how to best guide our children towards bilingualism (some of the fathers are English), and at moments dedicated only to mothers, the group was obviously born also to allow children to interact with each other in Italian. Indeed, this is one of the first reasons why it was created: do not let our children, especially those like mine who do not hear Italian at home, lose the opportunity to know the language and also the country, beyond stereotypes. .
