Youth participate in heritage restoration

For three days, nine young residents of Bastia swapped their usual activities for work on a construction site on the city’s outskirts. The project focused on restoring a dry-stone wall in a garden on Montée Filippina, between the Citadel and the Saint-Antoine convent.

Project aims to promote integration

The initiative, organized by the city’s community center and funded by the Cités éducatives, aimed to help young people from southern neighborhoods integrate into local life. Françoise Filippi, Bastia’s deputy mayor, emphasized the effort to support youth through practical experiences and inclusion in the community.

Participants learn traditional skills

The nine participants, aged 16 to 25, worked under the guidance of Olivier Simonpietri, a specialist in dry-stone construction, and staff from the François Marchetti community center. They learned about the preparation, assembly, and finishing of the wall, discovering the techniques behind this traditional craft.

Heritage and civic engagement

Céline Dolesi, director of the community center, explained that the project was more than a restoration effort. It aimed to use heritage as a tool for integration, skill development, and civic engagement. The initiative also reinforced the center’s commitment to involving young people in meaningful projects for their community.

UNESCO-recognized technique

Dry-stone construction, a method that respects the environment, was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2018. Olivier Simonpietri highlighted the project’s value in teaching young people manual skills, promoting heritage professions, and building confidence and teamwork.

Supporting diverse roles

In addition to the wall restoration, two other young participants worked with a cook to prepare meals for the group. This aspect of the project allowed them to demonstrate their abilities, sense of responsibility, and involvement in a collective effort, as noted by Céline Dolesi.