BARCONI
The Moltivolti Bar
Barconi, created in collaboration with Cappadonia — a benchmark for artisanal gelato in Sicily — and supported by the Freud Foundation and the Haiku Foundation Lugano, has already earned significant recognition: named by Gambero Rosso as one of the seven best gelato shops in Palermo. More than a gelateria, Barconi is a social entrepreneurship project focused on job inclusion, run by migrant men and women in the heart of Ballarò.
Over time, Barconi has become the beating heart of the neighborhood — a place that has brought people together and strengthened our community spirit. This gelateria tells the story of young people striving to redefine their future, despite policies that restrict freedom of movement and strip away rights.
The name BarConi plays on a powerful double meaning. “Barconi” refers both to the large boats that carry migrants across the sea and to the idea of a bar — a gathering space. These boats are, at once, symbols of oppression and freedom: they reflect the desperation of those forced to risk their lives due to closed borders, yet they also carry dreams, resilience, and the pursuit of a better life. They are acts of resistance against exclusionary and racialized migration policies.
The project’s ambition is to build a network of ethical, circular micro-enterprises — promoting inclusion through employment and daily connection with the local community.
What happens when ancient traditions, cultures, and values meet? They enrich one another. That’s the heart of our vision — the same spirit that inspired our one-of-a-kind creation: the Sicilian gelato cannolo featuring the original Moltivolti flavor (peanut, lemon, and puffed rice) with salted caramel. Soon, Barconi will be equipped with its own gelato machine and begin its unique in-house production — a sweet step forward on our journey of social impact.