I Was in Ventimiglia! Traces, signs and voices from people on the move: a participatory ethnography of graffiti at a border choke point

Abstract

Abstract Since 2015, Ventimiglia has become a “choke point” for “people on the move” traversing turbulent routes conditioned by restrictive European border policies. This article employs a participatory ethnography of graffiti to offer a singular perspective on undocumented movements. By treating graffiti as “participatory objects” rather than mere artifacts, the study documents approximately 250 units geolocated between the Roya river’s informal camp and Grimaldi shelters. The methodology emphasizes “spontaneous participation” and co-interpretation, particularly through key collaborations with residents like Suleyman. This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of experiences involving resistance, identity, and the fundamental paradox of simultaneous mobility and immobility. Furthermore, geolocating these inscriptions on a 3D interactive map reveals a symbolic border within Ventimiglia’s urban space that marginalizes individuals to its periphery. Notably, the digital omission of these informal settlements from official mapping reinforces the sense of these areas as “non-places”. Ultimately, the analysis reveals how local graphic expressions reflect global border processes, transforming transient spaces into places of meaning and memory.