To commemorate World Mental Health Day, the story unfolds of Giovanni Casale, who converted the abandoned town of Valogno, Italy, into a unique art therapy project. Giovanni was inspired to rejuvenate his ancestral village not only to restore its vitality but also to aid in the therapy for his son, Pasquale, afflicted by encephalitis. Over the years, the once forsaken town was transformed into a vibrant outdoor museum, attracting various artists and visitors while instilling a new lease on life for its residents.
  

Key Points: 

1. Giovanni Casale initiated an art project in Valogno to serve as art therapy for his son, Pasquale, who battles encephalitis.
2. The transformed village has become an outdoor museum, attracting several artists and acting as an emblem of ecological preservation and respect for nature.
3. Numerous murals scattered throughout Valogno symbolize various themes, including rainbows representing the vibrancy reintroduced into Pasquale’s life.
4. Among the artists is Alfredo Troise, who uses art as a therapeutic outlet for his personal struggles with Tourette’s syndrome and societal judgment.
5. Valogno’s transformation has positively impacted both its inhabitants and visitors, demonstrating the potent healing power of art in the community.

Source: https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/10/10/it-takes-a-village-how-one-father-transformed-an-abandoned-italian-town-to-help-his-son?