A Flower in the Concrete: Social Sports Event in Caivano

“A Flower in the Concrete” is the slogan around which Uisp Campania, Libera, and local associations will gather for a day of games and social sports to be held in Caivano, Parco Verde, on Friday, March 22nd. On this occasion, a banner will be unfurled which, the day before, that is on Thursday, March 21st, a group of boys and girls from Caivano will participate in the national event organized by Libera in Rome, at the Circus Maximus, for the Day of Remembrance in memory of the innocent victims of the mafia. In an urban context often dominated by concrete and socio-economic difficulties, such as that of Caivano, the initiative "A Flower in the Concrete" aims to show how beauty can emerge even in the most unexpected places and how it can constitute an effective antidote against insecurity and urban decay. The event is part of the project "The Necessary Beauty", supported by the Con il Sud Foundation, and promoted by UISP in partnership with local associations, including "A Childhood to Live" which has been operating and is based in the heart of Parco Verde for 16 years and which expresses, with strength, the constant will for change every day. The event on Friday, February 22nd in Caivano will be realized in collaboration with the Association Libera against mafias, which will contribute with the participation of some families of the innocent victims of the Camorra, sharing with the boys and girls of the neighborhood, their testimony of hope and resilience. Their presence underlines the importance of joining forces in the fight against crime and in pursuing justice and reconciliation. The activities will begin at 2 pm in the Campetti viale Margherita with soccer, volleyball, basketball, free climbing tournaments with the participation of the students of the IC3 school of Parco Verde. At 3 pm, there will be a meeting with institutions, with local associations, with Uisp and Libera, with the relatives of mafia victims. At 4 pm, the sports activities will resume and will continue until the final party and the awards ceremony. "Uisp and Libera, a bond that has distant roots, starting from its foundation, for legality and social justice, against all mafias - says Antonio Marciano, president of Uisp Campania - a bond that is renewed every day with initiatives and projects that arise from the territory. We will be in Rome on March 21st alongside don Luigi Ciotti and hundreds of other associations on the thirtieth anniversary of the killing of don Peppe Diana, a courageous priest killed by the Camorra for his commitment against organized crime. His memory and his example of courage will continue to inspire our actions for a better and fairer future". As highlighted by the event promoters, beauty is not just a superficial ornament, but is a living and transformative force that can nourish resilience and social cohesion. Just like a flower that blooms through the cracks of concrete, beauty can regenerate and invigorate urban spaces, transforming them into places of encounter and sharing for all citizens. However, for this flower to grow and thrive, a constant and collective commitment from the entire community is necessary. Like an oak that roots in the ground, beauty needs to be cultivated and supported by a concerted action that involves institutions, businesses, civil society organizations, and individual citizens.