Stefania is one of the many people who have decided to leave Italy. His destination was not London, Paris or Berlin. After a few years in India it has finally landed in Iran, a particular destination given the political framework. Iran is a dictatorship opposed by the Western world, but which has good contacts with Russia, China and Syria.
Let's start from the beginning. What did you leave in Catania and what did you find in the places you've been?
“In Catania I left my family, my true and deep friendships, my daily life which I thought was unique and irreplaceable. Catania bewitches and bewitches but unfortunately there is the risk that you can remain attached to a rock and make you use what you have. I had sports as a minimum source of income as a volleyball player and coach. In the new places I moved to thanks to sport, I was able to create immediate networks of contact. "
During these years you have moved to various very different places. India for example is a very popular destination for Italians and in general for people from all over the world. But Iran is a country where there aren't many Westerners. All in all, the country is controlled by a dictatorship. How do you find living in Iran?
“The time jump is crazy. We return to the 80s with only 5 hours of direct flight Rome-Tehran. The love for Italy and for the Italians is perceptible. The only thing that weighs a little but can be overcome is this fundamentalism with the obligation of hijab that I wear with discreet ease. She slips often and I always have the feeling of being like Merylin Monroe when her skirt is lifted. The fact remains that I am the most covered version of me in the last 33 years and I always have the doubt that I need to cover more. Another small problem is communication. I do my best trying to learn Farsi, which is modern Persian. The result is the birth of farsinglish mixed with Sicilian miming. "
Living in many different places it sometimes happens that you feel stateless. For some it is not a problem because they feel like citizens of the world, a world in which geographical borders no longer matter. On the other hand, there are also those who feel the desire to rediscover their roots, their culture. How do you feel?
“I'm lucky enough to have strong roots because I left home when I was 26, so I don't need to find them around. My secret is to take advantage of new places to learn about cultures, customs, languages, ways of eating, new flavors. I don't like comparing one place to another because every experience is different and you have to make the most of every single nuance to make room for new ideas. The only thing I miss in Iran is the granita with brioches. "
What do you recommend to those who have to move to a distant country for work or for necessity?
“It takes courage to leave the known and face the unknown. Making a list of pros and cons always serves to clear your mind. As soon as you arrive in a new city, it is useful to surround yourself with people with whom you feel good, who know the local life and who help you to better enjoy the new condition. "
