Patrick Zaki returns to his Bologna on video, 'Thank you'

"I decided to be here in Bologna because this city has done so much for me".

This is the message that Patrick Zaki, the Egyptian student of the University of Bologna released in December after 22 months of detention in his country, addressed to his adopted city.

Welcomed by a moving applause in the room, Zaki intervened in video link to the presentation at the San Filippo Neri oratory of 'Una storia egiziana', the cartoon by the journalist Laura Cappon and the artist Gianluca Costantini, published by Feltrinelli, which tells the biography of the student, from passions to activism, and the struggle of citizens and institutions, in Italy, to ask for their freedom.

"Art and literature were important during my imprisonment," explained the student, who is awaiting the hearing on April 6 that will decide his future.

For Costantini, who sent a copy of the work to Egypt, Zaki's intervention is "the real first return to the city, albeit from a distance. Until a few months ago it seemed unthinkable, yet today it is as if he were here".

"I thought of telling Patrick's story to also tell the other 60 thousand political prisoners of the Egyptian regime - explained Laura Cappon - and drawing creates empathy and it was right to use a medium that was as popular as possible".

In addition to the authors, also Rita Monticelli, Zaki's university professor and municipal councilor, and Riccardo Noury, spokesperson for Amnesty International Italia.

"It is a contribution of knowledge that will make his story even more popular - concluded Noury ​​- for the moment we are optimistic but cautious, Patrick is still accused. The feeling is that we are at the last corner, but we still don't know how straight there is. is to be done ".