Today, what makes the community just a bit unusual is a small park along the main road. Inaugurated in 2007 by then Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni, it's called Collina della Pace (Hill of Peace), a name that refers, with much irony, to its previous owner, mafia boss Enrico Nicoletti, treasurer of the notorious Banda della Magliana gang that brought chaos to Rome in the late 1970s.
As a large wall dedication explains, the park commemorates Giuseppe "Peppino" Impostato, who comes to our story with his own curious history. Peppino himself was born into a mafia family in 1948, yet he took a different course.
Peppino Impostato (right) with Danilo Dolci, 1967 |
peace activist--he participated in a 1967 peace protest organized by social reformer Danilo Dolci (whom we met in Sicily in 1962). In May 1978--during the violent political conflicts of the time known as the anni di piombo (years of lead), while a candidate in municipal elections, Peppino was assassinated.
Diavù at work |
The project was coordinated by M.U.Ro. (Museo di Urban Art di Roma), represented at the end of the mural by the boxed letters M,U,R, and O. We're not sure to what "da Sud" refers.
Finocchio residents, likely gathered for the mural dedication in 2014 |
"Ecomostro: Pollution as monster, tightening its grip around (a factory chimney?). What's with the white hand--in a skirt, with Minnie Mouse high heels? |
Walking hands (male figures, apparently), carrying a love Rome sign? Hashtag MAMMAMAFIA? |
The park is located on the north side of via Casilina, at via Bolognetta. And the mural can be located on, and is explained at, the Street Art Roma app, which we recommend (the app is better than the Web site).
Bill
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