I wonder how many people pass by Turritecava without really noticing this little village situated on the left side of the road leading to Gallicano and opposite the entrance to the Guglielmo Lera bridge over the Serchio.

Even those heading for Fabbriche di Vallico may have by-passed the hamlet of Turritecava (which means the quarry of the Turrite River) without glancing at it. Indeed, wink your eyes and you might well miss Turritecava. I had spotted this slender collection of houses but never thought that a distinct community lived there. I was proved wrong, however, yesterday evening when I was invited by my avvocato Romina Giusti (who proved herself invaluable in a case I had to suffer some years back) to attend a conference on Europe and European identity.

We arrived at the little library below the end of the single row of houses constituting the village to find very well-stocked and catalogued book shelves. Adjoining was a kitchen area proving that this was also a place where village banquets would be held. The meeting room next door was a real treat. Restored through local efforts it has a pretty arch with stone pediments and a most intriguing serpentine wooden panelling running across its walls. To my mind I felt this could be a representation of the river Serchio which runs below the village.

On one wall was a compendium of photographs showing the work carried out in turning an abandoned cellar into an attractive social centre.

The denizens of Turritecava have been truly busy in setting up their social centre. They have also converted a disused barn into a sweet little church complete with its bell and approached by an attractive Via Crucis.

This was the programme for the conference.

The European themes discussed by the speakers were varied and forceful. The concept of why a European identity was set up after centuries of warring was dominant. Peace especially was a principally sought after goal. This peace was founded on the original idea of an economic iron and steel community between European nations set up in 1956 in order to dispel competition which in the past had led to frictions sometimes even concluding in war. Inspiration for a united Europe came from the greats of post-war reconstruction like Robert Schuman, Alcide De Gasperi and Winston Churchill. Yet Europe still lacks today one major coordinator in the form of a presiding leader, someone who can be referred to in all issues relating to this continent – or again, is it really a continent? World leaders wishing to discuss European issues are still obliged to consult individual heads of state who may have very different viewpoints: for example the viewpoints on the migration problem as envisaged by Germany and Poland. Furthermore if peace is an aim in Europe there is no combined European force to defend it. And is a European army really a very good idea anyway?

Themes like the confusion between diversity and opposition – why if something – or someone – is different should there be opposition rather than belief in variety – were also raised by the speakers. Migration, a particularly hot topic in front-line Italy now with third countries entering the equation as outlined by new EU proposals – was raised and it wasn’t until close to midnight than we left the stimulating conference.

I remain astounded and moved by how a small community can truly club together, produce a real sense of community and set up their own library, social centre, conference hall and social institution. Furthernore that they can become an intellectual focus and involve locals in word-wide issues. Rather than wait for the ‘authorities’ to do something about one’s situation it is surely more effective and admirable to get together in a sense of solidarity and social communion and do things from local foundations. Well done Turritecava!

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