A new mural titled “Speranza – Hope” was unveiled today in Aielli, the small mountain town in Abruzzo that has become internationally known as an open-air museum of street art. The work was created by American artist Michaela Levesque, originally from Connecticut, whose presence in the village was made possible through a prestigious partnership with the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the support of Ernesto Salvi.

The mural portrays the face of a late-nineteenth-century woman, a tribute to those who endured the hardships of emigration. Her gaze carries a powerful duality: on one side the hope and yearning for a better life, on the other the fear and sorrow of leaving loved ones and familiar landscapes behind.

Clutched tightly to her chest is a ship ticket, while a small leather bag rests in her hands. Inside are only the most essential belongings: a piece of bread symbolizing survival, a handful of hard-earned savings, and an image of the Madonna della Vittoria, the patron saint of Aielli, carried as a source of strength and protection.

This emotional work is part of a wider cultural project that has transformed Aielli over the past decade. Once a quiet medieval village, it is now celebrated for its festival Borgo Universo, which invites artists from around the world to paint its walls. Each mural tells a story—whether of history, science, literature, or migration—and together they form a colorful narrative woven into the fabric of the town. Visitors wander its winding streets as if walking through an outdoor gallery, discovering layers of meaning on every corner.

With Levesque’s “Speranza – Hope,” Aielli adds another chapter to this living collection, reaffirming art’s power to keep memory alive while offering a message that speaks across borders and generations.