My name is Leonardo Corso, from Marsala, Sicily, with a strong passion for literature, art, and social inclusion. Although my academic background is not directly related to bookstore management, my experiences have shaped a clear entrepreneurial vision based on the belief that culture can be a powerful tool for social change.
My project, ‘Aisthesis: The Port of the Senses’, is an independent bookstore and cultural hub designed to make culture accessible through books, art, and inclusive sensory workshops. One of the experiences that most influenced me was working as a bartender. Beyond serving customers, I met many young people facing loneliness, social exclusion, and a lack of opportunities.
Listening to their stories inspired me to create a place where culture could become a source of connection, creativity, and inclusion.. I decided to join the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme because I wanted to transform my idea into a sustainable business while gaining practical experience abroad. Barcelona was the perfect destination thanks to its dynamic cultural environment and its innovative independent bookstores. The best part of this journey has been meeting my host entrepreneur, Cecilia. From the very beginning, she welcomed me with kindness and generosity, making me feel involved in every aspect of the project. What impresses me most is not only her extensive professional experience but also the way she transforms ideas into concrete initiatives while always keeping people at the centre of her work. Watching her face everyday challenges with determination, creativity, and genuine enthusiasm has become a constant source of motivation. Every conversation with her offers a new perspective, and every day I discover something that helps me better understand what it truly means to build a sustainable cultural project.
This exchange is already having a profound impact on me. Personally, living abroad and working alongside Cecilia in such an inspiring environment is helping me become more independent, adaptable, and aware of my own potential. Professionally, I am gaining practical knowledge that simply cannot be learned from books alone. I am learning how to organise cultural activities, manage daily operations, communicate with different audiences, and observe how a successful independent bookstore creates value for its community. These first experiences are giving me fresh ideas and practical tools that I hope to bring back to Italy to develop my own project, Aisthesis: The Port of the Senses.