On June 19th from 10:30 p.m. on ORF 2 and on ORF ON
Vienna (OTS) – For the first time in decades, many Italians who have emigrated from abroad or from the big cities in the north are moving back to their homeland in the poorer south. The “WELTjournal” will show the report “Italy – Return to Home” on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 10:30 p.m. on ORF 2 and ORF ON. The documentary “Amore – Love in Italian” follows in “WELTjournal +” at 11:05 p.m.
WELTjournal: “Italy – return home”
The change began with the corona pandemic: In 2020 alone, more than 100,000 people moved to Calabria, the southernmost tip of mainland Italy, known for its beautiful beaches as well as for the power of the mafia and high unemployment. The “WELTjournal” follows 59-year-old Rocco, who, after 30 years in France, is now living back in his parents’ house in the small Calabrian town of Rosarno and wants to sell Calabrian specialties to France. Nunzia and Francesco, on the other hand, made their careers in Rome and now run their IT company from their hometown in Calabria. And Angelo and Vincenzo are trying to revive a theater in the region. They and tens of thousands of returnees are changing the face and possibly also the future of Calabria.
WELTjournal +: “Amore – love in Italian”
Italy is a popular travel destination for couples in love and a popular place for dream weddings. Following in the footsteps of Romeo and Juliet, thousands of tourists make a pilgrimage to the famous balcony in Verona every year. However, Italians themselves are marrying less and less often and the birth rate is one of the lowest in Europe. There are a particularly large number of singles living in Milan, while in the impoverished south of the country many people over the age of 30 still live with their parents. Since there isn’t enough money for either an apartment or a hotel room, being together is often only an option in the back seat of the car. At the same time, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wants to return to traditional family values. Anything that does not conform to these ideas will be banned. Both parents of the same gender are no longer allowed to be listed on their child’s birth certificate. Surrogacy is punishable – even abroad. “WELTjournal +” takes a look at a country between passionate love and traditional morals.