Shipwrecked dreams: A voyage into tragedy and hope
One year after the Cutro shipwreck, in south Italy, the memory of the tragedy intertwines with the stories of those still seeking a way to Europe. Tariq retraces the journey he took forty years ago—but this time in reverse, along the Balkan route, to understand what has changed and why, even today, migration means risking one's life.
Trieste, Italy: The migrant heart of Square of the World
Tariq arrives in Trieste, an Italian border city where migrants face the harsh realities of their journey through Europe. Amid stories of hope and hardship, he meets activists, cultural mediators, and volunteers working tirelessly to support those on the move. Discover the significance of the "Square of the World" and the challenges migrants face as they cross the Balkans into Europe.
Francesca Pisano (RED Nova), Ismail Swati and Giulio Zeriali (Diaconia Valdese) contributed to this episode.
Sofia, Bulgaria. When solidarity becomes a crime
Tariq arrives in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he uncovers the harsh realities the migrants of today are forced to face—rejection, exploitation, and a lack of support in a country caught between being a transit point and a place of limited opportunity. From activists risking arrest for offering aid to a father's shift in perspective as his children find hope.
Amira Ellabban (Caritas Bulgaria) and Diana Daskalova (Center for Legal Aid - Voice in Bulgaria) contributed to this episode.
Athens, Greece: The human cost of Europe's migration policies
Tariq's journey continues as he steps into Greece, where he dives deeper into the complex intersection of migration policies and human experiences. He learns about the divided sentiments in Greek society, where solidarity clashes with xenophobia, and explores the legal complexities, detention issues, and tragic events that unfold at Greece’s borders.
Maria Kritsotaki and Margarita Markoviti (KMOP) contributed to this episode.
Islamabad, Pakistan: Bilal’s dream, Tariq’s return
In the final episode, Tariq returns to Pakistan, the end point of his journey and the starting point of many young people who, like him 40 years earlier, dream of embarking on a better life, learning about the experiences of those who made it and those who were forced to repatriate.
Umad Akhtar (Regional Director - Asia, International Return and Reintegration Assistance), Sarmad Javaid and Ammar Bukhari contributed to this episode.