Hello, I am Silvana Di Liberto, Sicilian singer and writer. I have writtenThe Camino de Santiago (my way), available on Amazon in print and ebook formats. Almost twenty years ago, I embarked on the French Way, an experience that left a deep mark on my life and my art. Since then, I have lived between London, France and, above all, Spain, taking my music everywhere. Today, with that valuable baggage behind me, I prepare for a new and exciting adventure: theSeptember 20I will leave to travel the Vía de la Plata, a journey of almost 1,000 km that will conclude onNovember 13. This experience is possible thanks to the agency's sponsorship of the round-trip flight.Conca d'Oro Viaggifrom Palermo. But I hope I'm not alone on this path. I long for my friend Alejandra, Andalusian and versatile artist, to be able to accompany me. I will cross lands full of history, heritage, gastronomy, culture and spirituality, meeting people from all corners of the world and, above all, local people, always willing to lend a hand. This time, I will experience it in a completely different way: with a more mature, more introspective perspective, and with the possibility of telling it in real time. Thus, I will connect the physical journey with the virtual one, letting the experience inspire me… perhaps to bring a new book to life.
The Silver Way It owes its origin to a set of Roman roads that linked the southwest with the northwest of the peninsula. In its central section, the Roman road has the current technical name of Iter Ab Emerita Asturicam; It united two Roman towns of great importance: Emerita Augusta (Mérida), capital of the Roman province of Lusitania, and Asturica Augusta (Astorga). Centuries later, these magnificent roads paved with stones were used by the Arabs in their conquest of the peninsular territories, and later, once the Christian reconquest was completed, it was the devotees of Santiago who followed these roads on their pilgrimage to the tomb of the Apostle. The name "Silver" has no relation to the silver metal. Its origin is not known for certain, but the most plausible hypothesis seems to be that of a phonetic evolution of the Arabic word balata, which means "stoned path."
Why this trip?
Since I started planning this trip, a lot has changed. After having left Spain—a country that I still feel like my second home today—I had thought about traveling this itinerary with a friend from the north, my María, to meet again and share two months of life and journey. Unfortunately, a health problem forced her to resign. But one day he confessed to me that, despite everything, he wanted to feel part of this adventure. So, with my heart in my hand, I told him:“I will do it for you, no matter what it takes.”
But not only for her.Recently, in my town, Monreale, three young people were killed for stupid things. For this reason, not only the names of these guys will be printed on the t-shirt that I will wear during the trip, but also those of the companies that have decided to support me as sponsors. I will also walk for those who share this dream and cannot realize it. It will be more than 53 days, more than 48 stages, and the freedom to leave room for the unforeseen, for discovery, for encounters. A journey in the name of simplicity and essentiality.
A trip to share
Every day I will document my personal experience through photos and videos, to share stories, emotions, difficulties and joys. I will tell the story of the people I meet along the way, creating a cultural bridge between Sicily and Spain.
Beyond the road, an inner journey
The Camino is not only effort and kilometers, but also a journey within oneself. Through this adventure, I want to offer reflections on the meaning of the Camino and how it can transform our lives, as I tell in my book.
