In a deeply troubling act of vandalism, a monument boat dedicated to migrants in Crotone, Calabria, was set ablaze by unknown individuals at dawn on May 20. This incident has sparked widespread condemnation from local authorities and organizations.
The monument, named San Nikolaus and installed in Parco Pitagora, was created by artist Massimo Sirelli. It was originally a makeshift boat used by a group of 12 migrants who arrived in Crotone in March 2020. Sirelli transformed this wreck into a vibrant symbol of hospitality and life, painting it with hundreds of polka dots in twelve different colors, each representing one of the migrants.
The fire was started using a garbage can full of waste, placed under the hull. In recent weeks, the park had already suffered from various acts of vandalism, including burned benches and uprooted plants.
Adding to the problem, Parco Pitagora’s surveillance cameras have been out of order for years, allowing the perpetrators to enter through one of the many holes in the park’s fence. Residents raised the alarm, and a fire brigade team from the Provincial Command of Crotone responded. Due to frequent vandalism, the entrance gate was chained, and firefighters had to cut the chain to access the site.
The monument boat had only recently been inaugurated on April 13. The project was commissioned by the #ioresto association, turning the boat into an artwork symbolizing resilience and the warm reception of migrants.
Crotone’s mayor, Vincenzo Voce, vehemently condemned the act, labeling the perpetrators as “jackals and ignoble beings.” He emphasized that the boat symbolized life and the city’s loss due to this destructive act. The mayor expressed his hope that authorities would swiftly identify and prosecute those responsible.
The Jobel Consortium, which manages Parco Pitagora, also condemned the incident, viewing it as an act of intimidation. They noted that this was the third fire set within a few weeks, questioning whether there was an organized effort to undermine the community’s values of hospitality and resilience. The Consortium called for greater protection for those working to serve the community in a spirit of solidarity.