I spent the whole of February on a long-term mobility stay in southern Italy. I was sent there by the Elementary School of Arts in Vysoké Mýto to the secondary art school I. I. S. S. “E. Giannelli” in Parabita.
The studies were quite different, not only because all classes were taught in Italian, except for English, of course, but also because I had the opportunity to spend up to 15 hours a week creating art. On canvas, with clay, charcoal, metal, and iron.
The southern way of life, manners, atmosphere, and weather completely absorbed me during that month. Sunshine and cats everywhere. That is why I spent time exploring the local natural beauty and hiking routes.
Just a few hundred steps away, there was the beautiful Hill of St. Ermete viewpoint, from which I could see Gallipoli, and when visibility was good, the Ionian Sea shimmered in the distance. I will never forget the sparkle that every sunset offered me there. Beneath the top of the hill, there was a small cave. Another place was lined with prickly pears, stones, and tall grass. There I had to be careful. Stones were often hidden in the grass — one wrong step and you would trip over one rock and hit your head on another. The local palm trees did not outshine the Czech forests. Whenever I went for a walk, I kept instinctively glancing at my feet and lifting them, but unnecessarily — there are no nettles there.
My home for the month was in the town of Matino. After a short time, I was able to find my way around its winding streets and historic center without any trouble. On afternoon walks and morning runs, I met only cats — the locals simply stayed indoors. My route always led past some church; there were about five of them. The most beautiful and largest one was dedicated to Saint George, who was also the patron saint of the town itself. What a fateful parallel with Vysoké Mýto.
As I mentioned in the introduction, the school gave me the wonderful opportunity to create for 15 hours a week. I certainly did not waste it; it inspired me greatly. Not only the south itself, Italy, but also the school premises. Even though they were temporary because of the construction of a new building, every wall, door, classroom — simply every free corner — was filled with drawings, sculptures, paintings, artworks, reliefs, and students’ projects. That is something impossible to forget.
My biggest project was a clay bust of a girl. From the initial idea, through the design, to the actual modeling, I enjoyed every part of it. All of my works were created around the shared theme of “Women in Art.” The sculpture is probably drying at the moment and will go into the kiln; its further fate is no longer in my hands. I also continued portraying other women on paper using watercolor, marker, and charcoal.
During my stay, I took part in a one-week mobility project with schools from Germany and Sweden. Together with them, I experienced countless memorable moments and created many beautiful projects.
The sea in Gallipoli was less than 16 kilometers away from us. We chose a beautiful sunny day to explore the city. The temperatures were approaching 25 degrees Celsius. A typical Italian ice cream was a must, and my Italian friends recommended that I try the Gallipoli flavor — and yes, you can taste it only in this famous coastal town. It was delicious: lemony, with a slight hint of nuttiness, topped off with peeled chopped almonds.
Lecce. It is not just a city, but a feeling. “The Florence of the South” — it truly deserves that title. Modern buildings blend beautifully with the historic center. In a small square there is a church, and if I had not decided to go inside, I would not have noticed that in the middle of the square there is an old amphitheater. An indescribably beautiful sight.
The south definitely has its own charm. On every corner, a cat watching over you or leading you somewhere. Art that you create yourself, or admire in the works of the old masters. A warm, windy climate by the sea. I would like to end this passing on of impressions with one of the first phrases my new classmates taught me: Salento lu sule, lu mare, lu ientu.Because this is something you simply have to experience.
Andrea Pavlíčková
