Reel To Real: 83-Year-Old Italian Man Finds Home After 9-Month Stay At Airport Terminal
An 83-year-old man, known simply as Arnaldo, who had made Bologna airport his home for the past nine months, has finally received a new place to live. The story of Arnaldo, who resided in the airport due to his inability to afford rent, has touched the hearts of many.
Staff at Marconi Airport, Italy's seventh-largest, extended their kindness to Arnaldo, providing him with essentials such as a sleeping bag, meals, and coffee. This unique situation has drawn comparisons to Tom Hanks' character in the film 'The Terminal', though, unlike Hanks' character, Arnaldo's situation was propelled by financial hardship rather than bureaucratic snags.
Originally from Sicily, Arnaldo found himself in a dire situation last summer when he could no longer manage his rent and began living on a pension. Despite attempting to utilize local homelessness services, he ended up seeking refuge at the airport in Bologna.
To avoid being a burden, Arnaldo initially chose to sleep outside, but as winter approached, he moved to the airport's check-in area for shelter. The staff at the airport went beyond their duties, offering him coffee, food, and a sleeping bag, creating a family-like environment for Arnaldo.
After spending nine months in the airport, the municipality of Bologna has intervened to provide Arnaldo with temporary accommodation in a hotel while they work on finding him a permanent residence.
Luca Rizzo Nervo, Bologna's Councillor for Welfare, shared that Arnaldo had moved to Bologna without prior contact with local social services. Nervo expressed regret that the authorities were only made aware of Arnaldo's plight through media reports but highlighted the importance of reaching out to the authorities in times of need.
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