The lives, stories and perspectives of the people in and around Urbino, Italy. A closer look at the unique voices and experiences that shape the vibrant community.
Rebirth
Calavalle Uses Domestic Violence Experience to Educate Community
By Maya Waid
On New Year’s Eve 1981, he asked to see her one last time.
Anna Rita Calavalle, 25 years old at the time, had just cut ties with her boyfriend of one year, Gregorio. She never went further than the entrance when she arrived.
When Gregorio walked away to get a “surprise,” Calavalle put her hand on the door handle. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the gymnastics training session she was late for so when he turned the corner and pointed a gun at her, it was the last thing she expected.
Bang.
With one shot, Gregorio took 20 centimeters off of her jaw. Calavalle fell to the floor. Her hand touched her jaw and all she felt was blood. She pleaded with him to call an ambulance.
He had one requirement though – she had to claim it was a mistake. She had to pretend like the person she once loved didn’t shoot her out of anger, jealousy and confusion. She had to put it all behind her.
La Donna Rurale
La Donna Rurale: A Personal Reflection
By: Emily Ashcraft
In the province of Pesaro e Urbino in the Italian region Marche, each comune 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.
Rita Farroni has owned her vintage store for eight years. She has loved every moment of running her store but plans on retiring at the end of the year.
Catia Bertuccioli has owned her bookstore for 10 years and also owns a second store in the Piazza Mercatale. Her favorite part about owning her shop is being frequented by many tourists and getting the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.
Women Storeowners
Tucked away within Urbino’s charming walls thrives a close-knit community of female small business owners. From cafes to jewelry stores, this influential group of women holds a significant and cherished presence within the community. We had the pleasure of interviewing some of the amazing women in Urbino whose contributions shape and enrich the community.
Urbino’s tight-knit community fosters personal connections between these store owners and their customers. During our conversations, many women mentioned that one of their favorite parts of owning their store included the interactions with locals. The bond between these business owners and the community is one of great strength and mutual dependence. In addition to providing essential goods and services, these women serve as pillars of strength and female representation within the community.
Raffaella has been running her gelato shop for 11 years. Her favorite part of running her shop is experimenting and inventing new gelato flavors.
Alessia has owned her clothing business, Mon Petit Monde, since 2015. It had always been her dream to own her own business since she was a young girl.
