The migrants who took over a Sicilian palace

``Occupying abandoned buildings, says Emiliano Spera - one of Prendocasa's co-ordinators - is a practical way to tackle the "contradiction" created by Italy's economy. Stagnation, the lack of historic preservation funding and the decline in Catholic vocations all result in more and more buildings becoming empty and unused. At the same time, there has been a rise in the number of homeless and unemployed - and new migrants. The way Spera sees it, occupying empty houses is not just a matter of economic expediency, but a new way to live together.''