Abruzzo's First Eco-Friendly Mural Unveiled in Aielli

The first eco-sustainable mural in Abruzzo, titled 'Nuru,' has been completed in the medieval village of Aielli, in the province of L'Aquila. The work was created by French artist Zoer and young Campanian artist Giovanni Anastasia as part of the 'Costellazioni' project promoted by Negroni, an Italian salumi company. 'Nuru' (meaning 'days of light' in Swahili) is painted with Airlite eco-paints that reduce air pollution. The mural is the latest addition to Borgo Universo, a street art and astronomy festival launched in 2017 that has transformed Aielli into an open-air museum. Previous contributors include Millo ('Your Sky'), Okuda San Miguel ('Illuminary Place'), and Zamoc ('Fetonte'). The 'Costellazioni' project aims to engage under-35s in cultural, social, and environmental renewal. Aielli is known for the Torre delle Stelle, a 14th-century tower housing the highest astronomical observatory in central Italy. Negroni's marketing manager Claudia Ferrari stated the initiative seeks to build a direct dialogue with young people, choosing Aielli for its symbolic value. Zoer described the mural as abstractly representing a fractured territory that offers shelter, while Anastasia noted the immediate bond between Zoer and the village, whose mountains reminded him of his native Provence.