Migrantenmarkt

Interview in Pozzallo

 

This is a spontaneous interview with Monte at the tourist information center ( actually a small room) in Pozzallo. It was Friday afternoon. No one was still working at the commune. We could only use google translator to try to express our intentions to the staff at the tourist center. They helped us to call Monte. Then she came by in about 10 minutes to have this small interview with us.

 

M refers to Monte, who works for the commune.

L refers to Li and Mengya, who took the excursion to Pozzallo for the project Migrantenmarkt.

 

 

L: How is the situation of the refugee in Pozzallo? How many refugees come to Pozzallo per day?

M: They are totally in control. Pozzallo is very safe. There is special timetable when they could go out. I’m not sure how many per day. I guess we have now in total 200-300 refugee here.

L: What is the control-system of the refugee camp here?

M: They come by boats. They are very dirty and worn out. So we have doctors, who wash them clean and make them wear new clothes. Each person has a number, so that we can control them pretty well. Normally they don’t go out. Because we need to offer a clean and safe place for the tourists.

L: Where do they live actually? Do they have a proper house or something in Pozzallo?

M: They live near the port, where they reach Pozzallo by boats. They live together in a big garage, like a dormitory. Several people share one room, eat and sleep together.

L: How long do they usually live there? Or how long are they allowed to stay there?

M: Normally for 10 to 15 days, until they get in touch with their relatives and friends in France, Belgian or other cities in Italy. They won’t stay here too long.  They can do nothing here.

L: Is there any religious conflict in the camp? What do most refugee believe?

M: Most of them are Christian. The priest go there every week or so. And they are very happy to see him. They need help from him.

L: Do they have language problems?

M: Yes. But we have translator to translate what the priest says. In this Christmas I’ve helped the priest to translate to the refugees. We have volunteers as well.

L: Any of them are Muslims?

M: Oh… I don’t know about that.

L: They are not allowed to work? How much do they pay for the accommodation?

M: Here they don’t work. In Pozzallo there is no job for them. They stay here for free.

L: So who pays the bill for the refugee?

M: The states. The states would distribute money to different regions. And the government of the region pays for the infrastructure in the city, like Pozzallo.

L: Are you informed of the reasons behind this policy?

M: I don’t know. Politics.

L: Let’s come back to the refugee. When they leave Pozzallo, will they find Jobs easily in other cities?

M: Probably. They have some contacts from their friends or relatives.

L: So Pozzallo is only a temporary shelter.

M: Yes. They stay only a couple of days. Some tourists even call us to make sure if there are refugees on the streets, which might be probably dangerous. But I need to say we have the situation in control.

L: So tourism might be the most important industry in Pozzallo? What are the other local industries here? What do most people do here?

M: Definitely, tourism is very important for us. We have 19000 People here. Most of them own shops or restaurant here. Others work for the commune or as seaman. I need to say, the most of the rest are retired seniors. As for the industries, we have a lot of olive and almond fields. We use olive to make olive-oil. We export marbles. Unlike black marble in Catania, here we have very good white marble. And fishing as well. But now it is going down. Young man don’t want to be a fisher anymore, although there is wonderful sea field for it. My husband is for example a seaman. He comes every four months back home. It’s tough.

L: Besides industries, how about the local life here? We are interested in that if there are some local markets here?

M: Oh of course. But you’ve missed it. The markets are only in the morning. One is here, Piazza della Rimembranze. One is near the port. That is a soccer field. In the green market there are a lot of vegetables and fruits. It is always nice to have a visit.

L: Do you often meet people there? Or where do the local people meet friends and spend leisure time?

M: We meet a lot at the market. And I love to meet friends on the beach, along via Lungomare Pietre Nere. There are good bars there. And it’s beautiful. But pity, one of the best bars is now closed. You should also try ice-cream along the beach. There are all good bars there.

L: Oh, we will try, thank you for the tips. As we are doing a project, which would be a market for the refugee on the beach, do you think it would be a chance to offer a better situation or job opportunity for them?

M: Probably. Where?  ( I pointed out the site.) Maybe it is too small? You’d better ask the mayor about the detailed information.

L: Is there any documentation of the situation of the refugee camp that we could bring back to the university?

M: Sorry, I guess no. There are sometimes articles about it on the newspaper. But they are all in Italian.  Sorry we don’t have any. But it might be helpful, if you ask the workers in the camp about that.

L: Thank you very much for your time and all the information you gave us.

M: I’m also glad to do it. I do a lot of interviews. (to another colleague)  Pozzallo is now famous,  we are famous, right? (laughing) Because of the refugee!