DEBATING XENIA

Our project starts from the Ancient Greek concept of Xenìa (hospitality) in order to create a counter-narrative for fostering intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding. We believe that this concept is very fruitful for spreading the importance of hospitality in opposition to hostility, that seems to be a peculiar attitude towards migrants nowadays. Even now, the EU is composed by very different citizens that, thanks to their different cultures, contribute to enrich the European culture (United in diversity!). The project uses Xenìa as a tool for comparing past and present positions towards migration, analyzing the traditions and the feelings of four small European municipalities (Montescudaio, Italy - Eberstadt, Germany - Orebić, Croatia - Evrotas, Greece). The present concept of hospitality will be analyzed both at the EU level, while examining the EU policy on migration, and at national and municipal level. The documentary will be made in order to report on existing feelings towards the stranger, trying to change prejudices and increase the awareness of each community. This shift of approach will also affect the whole society of the four involved partners.

Mattia Mura - Filmmaker
Roberto Ciompi - Production Manager
Nicoletta Di Noto - Production Secretary
Rico Del Viva - Screenplayer
Federico Ciompi - Composer and Sound Designer