La Donna Rurale
By: Emily Ashcraft
In the province of Pesaro e Urbino in the Italian region Marche, each commune puts on week-long programs to bring the community together and raise awareness and appreciation for different cultural topics and themes specific to the Marche region. These programs have several events including roundtable discussions, concerts, ecological walks and theatrical performances. It was clear from my experience that community togetherness is valued highly and this event is a wonderful example of that.
I was fortunate enough to experience one of these events first hand in Isola del Piano. Isola del Piano is a small commune about 30 minutes west of Urbino and was named the Pesaro Capital of Italian Culture for 2024. The theme Mayor Guiseppe Paolini chose for the week is La Donna Rurale which translates to “the rural women.” In our conversation, the mayor explained that La Donna Rurale symbolizes the integral role that women play in the socio-economic and cultural life of Isola del Piano. It encompasses their contributions to agriculture, family, community and the preservation of traditions, as well as the ongoing efforts to empower and support them in achieving greater equality and development.
The specific event I attended was the closing event for the week and was a march up a mountain to Monastero di Montebello. This monastery is particularly important because it was restored into the headquarters of the Girolomoni Agricultural Cooperative – making it one of the first organic agricultural cooperatives in Italy. When my peers and I arrived, we joined about 60 people that were hiking up the mountain. The hike through the picturesque landscapes of Isola del Piano was truly breathtaking. The views of rolling hills and lush, vibrant olive groves and vineyards were so peaceful and made it much easier to preserve through the intense heat and steep incline.
My favorite part of the hike was the conversations and engagements we shared with the local residents. We asked people about the march, why they were doing it, and what the theme meant to them. Despite the language barrier, our brief, surface-level conversations testified to how deeply the people of Isola del Piano value community and time spent together. This aspect of their culture has resonated with me throughout the entire trip, particularly as I immersed myself in the company of Isola del Piano’s residents during this event. It’s evident the people here genuinely cherish one another’s companionship and time spent together.
Attempting to visually convey someone else’s narrative is a surreal and significant endeavor, an art form in itself. When I’m behind the camera, tasked with capturing moments and stories, my senses are heightened, making me more observant than at any other time. I love seeing how people interact with their loved ones, friends, acquaintances and strangers. A notable observation I made is that the language barrier allowed me to pay closer attention to people’s body language and the physical interactions between them. This aspect is particularly crucial for me as a photographer and videographer. I believe that visually depicting something often has a more profound impact than merely verbalizing it, a principle that holds true in the world of filmmaking.
Our journey to Isola del Piano for the La Donna Rurale event was a profound experience that deeply touched us. We witnessed firsthand how this small commune in the Marche region of Italy celebrates and honors the integral role of rural women in their community. Through engaging in activities like the symbolic march to Monastero di Montebello and interacting with local residents, we gained a deeper appreciation for their values of community, companionship and cultural heritage. As we captured these moments through photography and videography, we understood the power of visual storytelling in conveying the richness of Isola del Piano’s cultural tapestry. This experience has left a mark on me, inspiring a renewed commitment to celebrating diversity and community spirit wherever our journeys may lead.
