Quatrani

Quatrani is the local term for “youngsters" in the Italian city of l'Aquila. It has been ten years since the earthquake that shook the Italian city, causing hundreds of deaths and injuries and leaving many people homeless. The children of what is now known as The Forbidden City have turned 18 years of age. They have grown up without a hometown, a safe place they can call “home.” Nevertheless, these children have managed to find a sense of belonging in the bond they share with one another. They started to give the name “home” to the solid friendship they have built by going through the same experience with remarkable strength. “When an earthquake takes away the place you are from, you need to find it again. You need to find it where there is not a thing in sight and you have nothing more to hope for but the company of your family and friends. Find home in those who love you.” “The earthquake was sort of Year One. People don’t say, for example, ‘it happened in 2006,’ but they either refer to ‘pre-earthquake’ or ‘post-earthquake.’” (Voices of the young people who lived through those times.)