by Guisela Chiarella
In the heart of Trieste’s historic Piazza Unità, amid the innovation showcases of the local Maker Faire, a different kind of assembly took center stage on Saturday afternoon: a roundtable titled “Mafia: Il Mondo Parallelo – Storie ed Esperienze”(“The Mafia: A Parallel World – Stories and Experiences”).
The panel brought together some of Italy’s most prominent figures in law enforcement and public administration, including Prefect Pietro Signoriello, Regional Councillor Pierpaolo Roberti, the Director of Italy’s Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate General Giuseppe Carbone, and the newly appointed Chief Prosecutor of Trieste, Cristina Castaldini—the first woman ever to hold the position in the city’s history.
Also joining the discussion was Guido Petrucco, president of construction company Icop, who has been outspoken on the risks of criminal infiltration in public works and private enterprise.
Castaldini’s presence underscored a historic shift for Trieste’s judiciary. Appointed just days prior, her role at the head of the local prosecution office marks a new chapter in the city’s legal history and ongoing efforts to confront organized crime.
The discussion ranged from personal experiences investigating the Mafia to broader reflections on how criminal networks create an underground “parallel world” that corrodes institutions, distorts economies, and threatens democratic values.
While the setting—a stage at a tech and innovation fair—might have seemed unusual, organizers emphasized the importance of meeting young people where they are and connecting civic engagement to everyday spaces.
“We need to speak openly about these threats,” said Roberti, “especially in places where the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs are gathered.”
The event concluded with a call to vigilance and a reminder that the fight against organized crime is not limited to the South, but remains a national—and local—priority.
