medicine class at scampia university in naples where there were sails

Even Miss Italia 2021, Zeudi Di Palma, at the inauguration of the University of Scampia, as “godmother”. Di Palma is originally from Naples and lives in Scampia. Photo Ansa / Ciro Fusco

The University of Naples inaugurates the new academic year of courses for health professions at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of Scampia. Where there used to be the so-called “Veils”, the concrete buildings that rose to symbolize decay and abandonment, there is now a center of study.

Scampia broadens its horizons and strengthens its struggle to emancipate itself from the sad reputation of drug trafficking in the Camorra district. The “Veils” are no longer the symbol of “Gomorrah” and are all destined to disappear, except for one which will remain standing as a warning that citizens should no longer be allowed to live in concrete ant hills in the middle of sleeping quarters. Monday, October 17, the new headquarters of the Federico II University of Naples in Scampia therefore inaugurates its 2022-2023 academic year.

Photo Ansa / Ciro Fusco

Shortly before the ceremony, activists from the Comité des Voiles, Cantiere 167 and the Movimento Chômeurs du 7 Novembre unfurled a banner with the slogan “We are only abusive dreamers”. “People like us never give up,” they shout, saying what has been achieved in Scampia is also due to their struggle. “We’re tired of waiting, we want to work,” they shout.

“A strong signal from Scampia”

“This is a very important initiative not only for the city of Naples but as a strong signal of what an institution like the University can do for its territory and for its country,” said the Minister of Education. Maria Cristina Messa University. “It is an important initiative which has an inauguration today – he added – but which must be cared for, followed, carried out and also helped by the State.” Messa stressed the need for the University’s headquarters in Scampia not to be “a cathedral in the desert. The rector knows it well: Federico II has already opened in other districts. It is not easy and requires a lot of commitment not only from governance but also from teachers, staff and students. Because it is clear that coming here will be uncomfortable but it is very important to create this atmosphere and this environment for which the boys come willingly”.

A banner of the Committees in Scampia. Photo Ansa / Ciro Fusco

The mayor: “It’s a starting point”

“Naples can be a benchmark for restarting the country from those places that are defined as discomfort and instead are places of opportunity.” Thus the mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi. The mayor added: “We deserve much more than we seem. Naples has great resources, skills and the desire to do in all its expressions. It is not a point of arrival, but a point of departure and constitutes the affirmation that in Naples things can and can be done well. »

A view of Scampia with Jorit’s mural dedicated to Fabrizio De André. Photo Ansa / Cesare Abbate