An exciting journey back in time enlivened the afternoon of Saturday 3 May at the Polo Museale Universicà in Druogno. A group of about fifteen people from Holland walked through the doors of the museum, not as simple tourists, but as “roots tourists“.

Their surnames, Margaroli and Invernizzi, immediately revealed the deep bond with this land: they were the descendants of Vigezzo emigrants who, driven by the desire to rediscover their origins, embarked on an emotional journey to the land of their ancestors.

The visit turned into a real immersion in the culture and traditions of the area. The group focused with particular interest on the exhibition, eager to learn about the customs, customs and history that shaped the lives of their ancestors. A tangible way to reconnect with a family past that is often told, but never experienced directly.

This significant visit is part of the International Year of Italian Roots in the World, an initiative promoted by the Ministryof Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Italea Piemonte , engaged in the implementation of the project on the regional territory, had presented an important plan dedicated to this form of tourism during the last summer season of the UniversiCà, underlining the attractive potential of Piedmont for those who want to rediscover their Italian roots.

The interest shown by this group of Dutch people is a concrete testimony of how alive and felt the bond between the emigrant communities and their homeland is. Roots tourism is thus confirmed as a precious opportunity to enhance the local cultural heritage and to create bridges between different generations and countries.