The workshop Geographies of Memory, presented by Gustavo D'Aversa, puts into discussion performing arts as a tool for bottom-up participation, enabling the co-creation of shared meanings in public spaces, through the lens of public geography and citizen science.

Contents and Objectives

The workshop focuses on the interdisciplinary project #39, which recounts the forgotten history of the Displaced Persons Camp 39, located in Tricase Porto (Lecce, Italy), operational from 1943 to 1948. This camp represents a significant yet unknown example of a crucial period in contemporary history, marked by forced migration and the reception of refugees from various nationalities.

During and after World War II, millions of people were left stateless due to persecution, deportation, and destruction. DP Camp 39, managed by UNRRA, hosted individuals from various parts of Europe: survivors of concentration camps, political exiles, and displaced communities. It was a place of transit and survival but also of identity reconstruction and hope.

The story of this camp, along with the many microhistories of those who found refuge there, was quickly forgotten by the local community, which hastened to erase all traces of it. Nevertheless, it holds extraordinary significance from historical, humanitarian, and intercultural perspectives because DP Camp 39 was a microcosm of multicultural coexistence, anticipating modern themes such as integration and dialogue among peoples.


Nota biográfica

Em 2013, Gustavo D'Aversa fundou a A.Lib.I. Artistas Independentes Livres, Associação Cultural da qual é Diretor Artístico. É diretor, ator e dinamizador de Oficinas de Teatro Social. Em 2016 fundou a Essenza APS, Corigliano d'Otranto. Em 2020 foi gestor do projeto “Intérpretes de um território” do Teatro Comunale Leverano, no âmbito do Edital de Lugares Municipais (ARTI Região Puglia) e Espaços de Proximidade (Região Puglia, Políticas Juvenis).Como formador realizou inúmeras oficinas de teatro com especial atenção para crianças (maldEstro Campus Teatrale), adolescentes (Liceo Comi di Tricase, Liceo Classico Dante Alighieri di Casarano 2007-2011) e pessoas com deficiência.

É presentemente doutorando visitante do Centro de Estudos Sociais com o projeto de investigação "A country in needed: a model of laboratory-theatrical practice for the narration and development of local cultures", no âmbito do Programa de Doutoramento Human and Social Sciences - XXXV (III cycle, Historial-Geographical Curriculum) da Universidade de Salento, Itália.  


Esta atividade acontece no âmbito do Grupo de Trabalho em Ciência Cidadã e Educação do Centro de Estudos Sociais