Alternative lifestyles in Italy
To go on the other side of the world to discover something completely different from our customs nowadays has become a habit, but to find it a few miles from home is extraordinary
In Italy there are about 50 ecovillages – so called by the founders themselves because their value is the total sustainability of everyday life. They are large communities of people who have chosen alternative lifestyles. To the chaos of everyday life, the traffic, the Wi-fi and to all the daily comforts, they have preferred a return to basics.
In this article I will talk about three different communities, one that lives in close contact with nature, almost out of the real world; a community of artists and an anarchist community.
Each with its own rules, but with the fundamental principles in common: the harmony with others and with nature, unanimity in decisions, common ownership and the consequent absence of private property.
The Elf community, Sambuca Pistoiese (Tuscany)
The community is formed by a hundred italian and foreign people: men, women and children that for almost 30 years have been living in old farm houses in ruins in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. They live without electricity, running water, heating and in close contact with nature cultivating and gathering the land products. Moreover they reject every requirement that our consumerist society imposes on us and they do this by living in community and sharing everything. In the community indeed there is no private property, everything belongs to everyone and everyone contributes to the community in his own way.
Bussana, Sanremo (Liguria)
It is a medieval village almost razed by an earthquake. Totally abandoned, in the 70s it has become a characteristic “artists’ village”, occupied by a community of Italian and foreign artists, which restructured and made habitable again the less damaged buildings. Still today it hosts an international community of artists and artisans whom in their workshops and studios, are selling their works. Residents are about 30 and their houses are always open, so if you want to go inside someone’s home, you have just to ask permission. Once you cross the threshold you will be catapulted into a distant dimension.
Urupia, Francavilla Fontana (Puglia)
Urupia was born as an open community which gives the opportunity to everyone who wants, to take part, for a short or long period, to participate in a social laboratory that is the project Urupia. It is an anarchist community that does not believe in the power of the Government and in which there are no hierarchies. All are free and equal, and decisions are taken unanimously. Here the comforts of life are not lacking: water, electricity, gas, heating, bathrooms, even a campsite for summer guests and a shed for cultural activities. The community was born as a form of alternative life to the dominant social model, in fact they organize several initiatives on various issues, in order to spread a social consciousness. The town inhabitants produce: extra virgin olive oil, wine, vegetables, fruits and jams, bread, honey, medicinal herbs and more.
