I met Cate, Ale, Ines, Miri, Ninni, and Martino in 2021. 

They live just outside Bologna, and in their family, they practice libertarian education and homeschooling until middle school. Up until a few years ago, they lived in different parts of the world, especially in Auroville, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. But a few years ago, they returned to Emilia to settle in Bologna.
While working on their "city project"—studying ideal cities in literature, throughout history, and through different perspectives, contemplating urban planning, philosophy, and cinema, and developing their own idea of an ideal city—I have had the chance to watch Vinicio and Martino grow, as they now approach their final years of homeschooling.
They are vegan, and in their home in the "borgo," you can breathe the history of Emilia-Romagna through the songs of CCCP and participation in protests. The doorbell rings often. Sometimes it's Vero helping with English, or Vale, both of whom assist with the city project. Other times, it’s a neighbor helping Ninni solder lights onto the model, or a friend dropping by to visit the family. Ale’s meals are delicacies infused with spices and love. Ines tells us about high school, and Miri can’t wait to start attending. Cate has become a dear friend, and they all feel like family.

The image of Ninni and Martino running barefoot down the borgo’s pathway to hug me and tell me the latest news from home is what gives me hope for the future of this world. This ongoing project aims to share their story through drawings, paintings, constructions, and archival materials, in complete synergy with all of them.