Art can help break the ice: asylum seekers meet the locals and talk about life

The centre for asylum seekers in Chiasso, on the Italian border, has been in the news over the past few months due to fights among newcomers. Some politicians have exploited the incidents in order to call for the centre’s closure. But the violence has been an exception to the normally peaceful living conditions at the place. To counteract the negative headlines and overcome prejudices, the centre organises cultural activities, which includes a visit to the museum Vela, in the nearby village of Ligornetto. (Raffaella Rossello, swissinfo.ch)