NOVI LIGURE. Evicted, apparently, with no possibility of being housed in another location. It happens to about 200 people, artists and social workers who self-managed an office: the “Youth Space” located in a corner of the former Giorgi barracks in via Verdi in Novi.
The municipal administration has in fact decided that these premises will be destined for the Food Bank, without having first thought, as the interested parties claim, of replacing the Youth Space. The topic is also the subject of a question by the Dem council group.
The young people were headed by the musical theater company “La bisarca”, the companies “Akeron” and “Fantomatica”, a group of break dance dancers, a juggling – street theater and an association that deals with the recovery of psychiatric subjects.
“We were forced to demobilize after attending the Spazio Giovani for 15 years – says Enrico Corte, of the Bisarca -. The administration had promised to find an alternative location, however, in fact, the councilors Moncalvo and Franco offered us a very small room, barely a quarter of the one we used and another, in via Monte di Pietà at the elderly center. Then not even those, arguing that in Novi there would be no room available to host us ».
«With the excuse of the lock down period – concludes the Court – they managed to grant space to the Food Bank, leaving us without a seat. This is a real cut to culture ».
“I think we need to make some clarifications – replies the commissioner for Heritage, Edoardo Moncalvo -. The premises of the Youth Space were not up to standard and there was never an agreement between the associations and the Municipality. People, therefore, at their own risk and not only them, frequented the premises, illegally. There is no trace of convention. I am surprised that the Dems, responsible for this state of affairs, are attacking the administration. Now the food bank has settled in the former Youth Space, after having signed an agreement with the State Property which is the sole owner of the premises, committing itself to making the facilities and premises safe ».
“Finally – concludes Moncalvo – we have proposed alternatives to artistic companies, but they do not intend to pay any fees”.