Pedro, 66 years old, has always been from Fara San Martino, in Abruzzo, despite his name possibly causing some confusion. Born in Buenos Aires, he moved back to the small town in Italy, in the province of Chieti, with his family when he was just two years old. This return quickly solidified his connection to his Abruzzese roots, unlike his cousins Connie (Consuela) and Rosalba, who remained far away: the first in Pennsylvania, USA, and the second in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Although their stories were intertwined by family ties, they had always remained parallel. Connie’s mother is from Fara San Martino, and her father is from Palena, just a few kilometers away; in contrast, Rosalba’s mother is from Palena, in the same Region, and her father from Fara San Martino. The two cousins had never met, but they had often shared with Pedro and his sisters, Paola and Sonia, their desire to return to Italy, perhaps at the same time, to finally meet in person. Pedro seized the opportunity of the Year of Italian Roots in the World to turn this dream into a reality. With the help of his sisters and without revealing too much to his wife, he organized a special meeting within a month: travel, hospitality, and two olive trees as symbols of rebirth and connection.

After the long journey from the Americas, Connie and Rosalba arrived at Pedro’s house on the same evening, unaware of each other’s presence. They spoke different languages, but the silence was filled with a long, heartfelt hug, full of emotions.
After the surprise wore off, the following day was dedicated to official ceremonies, with the support of Italea, a project promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to encourage root tourism and strengthen ties with Italian communities abroad.

In the Council Chamber, Mayor Antonio Tavani and President Antonio Di Maio warmly welcomed the cousins, joined by Emanuele Grotto, a representative of the La Visceglia Association, which coordinates Italea’s activities in Abruzzo. After an introduction to ongoing initiatives, the symbolic moment arrived: the planting of two olive trees in the Peace Forest, a space dedicated to those returning, so that the bond with one’s roots can continue to grow.
With a gift of a publication about the municipalities of Abruzzo, the mayor emphasized the importance of this trip, hoping that the meeting between Connie and Rosalba would inspire all Abruzzese communities around the world. The return to Fara San Martino was not only a moment of family reunion, but also a powerful symbol of how root tourism can create bonds that transcend distance. The emotion of two cousins embracing for the first time in a small Abruzzese community becomes the universal story of a diaspora that never forgets its origins.