Naples - The Officina della Tammorra, a historic artisan workshop and a hub for Neapolitan folk culture, was hit by a theft that went far beyond the financial damage.
On Saturday afternoon, around 15:30 PM, the enormous tammorra (approximately 1,20 x 1,20 meters) that served as the sign and symbol of the business run by artist and artisan Paola Gargiulo was removed.
A flash robbery amid the chaos of the historic center
Paola Gargiulo had left her shop for only a few minutes. Upon her return, she was met with a bitter and incredible surprise: the historic instrument, an impossible-to-miss sign, had disappeared. The incident, which occurred at a time of year when tourists flock to the alleys, raises questions about how easily the criminals slipped away undisturbed through the crowd.
The victim of the theft immediately reported the incident to MP Francesco Emilio Borrelli.
The priceless value of a symbol
For Paola Gargiulo, the damage is incalculable, especially on an emotional and historical level. "I never thought anyone would do something like this," the shocked owner declared.
Paola Gargiulo: "I'm deeply attached to that tammorra, which represents 25 years of struggle and sacrifice, and the memory of my husband. After so many years of fighting to preserve our cultural heritage, I hope they'll help me restore it. I wonder how it's possible no one saw anything."
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The stolen tammorra, therefore, was not just a symbol, but a true piece of personal and cultural history, a testament to a quarter of a century dedicated to defending the Campania musical tradition.
Borrelli's outrage: "A piece of authentic Naples has been affected."
MP Francesco Emilio Borrelli did not hesitate to define the gesture as "cowardly and offensive," not only towards the artisan, but towards the entire Neapolitan cultural identity.
Francesco Emilio Borrelli: "That great instrument wasn't just a decorative object: it represented 25 years of work, sacrifice, identity, and memory, also tied to the personal history of Paola and her husband. Taking it away means striking a piece of authentic Naples, the one that endures despite a thousand difficulties to keep our musical tradition alive."
Borrelli launched a direct appeal to those responsible for the theft, asking for a "surge of dignity" and the immediate return of the sign. He also urged authorities to review CCTV footage in the area to ensure such a brazen act in a highly frequented location doesn't go unpunished.
"I will continue to follow the story until the sign is returned to its place. Paola must not feel alone: culture must be protected, not stolen," the MP concluded, promising his commitment until the historic instrument is recovered.
Comments (1)
This theft is truly a terrible blow to Neapolitan culture. I don't understand how no one saw anything. The tammorra was an important symbol, and now it's disappeared without a trace. Let's hope it's recovered soon.