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Love for Kenya has kept Italian couple glued together

Love for Kenya has kept Italian couple glued together
Freddie Del Curatolo and his wife Maddalena Stefanelli.

Freddie Del Curatolo and his wife Maddalena  Stefanelli met in Kenya 10 years ago and made a decision to make beautiful memories by exploring hidden gems, conserving culture and environment and promoting tourism

As the spokesperson of the Italian community at the Kenyan Coast, Freddie Del Curatolo is one of, if not the most popular “Italian voice” and influencer in the tourism sector, especially in Kilifi county. His position involves working with Italian and Kenyan institutions to promote tourism.  

Through his blog Malindikenya.net   and several social pages, Freddie is committed to give any kind of information about Kenya to Italian tourists and to the Italian community in Kenya.

His blog featuresabout 4,000 visitors a day. Aside from this, he has authored books in Italy such as Safari Bar, which sold a lot of copies. He has also recorded two albums, with some songs talking about Kenya.

Freddie first came to Kenya in 1990 when he was 22, after his journalism studies in Milan, Italy. His father, reknowned as the first Italian to make pizza using a wooden oven in Kenya, had settled in the country earlier on.

Freddie went back to Italy in the year 2000 for a master’s degree before coming back. He has been in Kenya for the last 17 years.

His wife, Maddalena  Stefanelli also known as Leni Frau is a successful photographer who has graced some of the biggest picture exhibitions in the country, including his solo show titled, Zeinab-Zena, Sea Queens heritage twins picture exhibition at Fort Jesus sponsored by the Italian Embassy and National Museum in 2019. 

As Leni, a former travel agent shares, falling in love with Fredie had everything to do with their shared love for Kenya and discovering its beautiful destinations.

“My profession in Italy was a travel agent, I always loved travelling and discovering new cultures and places, plus I also have a passion for photography.

So, as a tourist, I arrived in Kenya for the first time, and as it happens to many, I fell in love with it. Here, my passion for photography has become my favourite hobby.

I also help my husband to make video/photo shoots for his blog and other activities,” intimates Leni.

The beautiful couple met in Malindi in 2012. They have known each other for 10 years, but married for only two, with three children from previous unions (Leni has one girl from previous marriage and Freddie has two). 

“He made me discover in a profound way the beauty of this so different and wonderful place that is Kenya. He has made me fall in love with Kenya and subsequently made me fall in love with him too,” she shares.

Magical Kenya

Being married to Freddie, as she shares has had a lot of influence on her personal life. People recognise her wherever she goes.

But Freddie is a kind and helpful person, who never shies away from the requests of people he meets. Following him as he goes about his duty allows her to travel and meet people all the time. Together, they have made a lot of memorable moments in Kenya, especially their first meeting.

“We met at Mekatili Wa Menza celebrations in Bungale, Kilifi. All the Mijikenda tribes were represented. As well as having the opportunity to visit the shrine of the heroine Mekatilili, we had two days of dancing, praying, rituals and traditions.

We slept in tents. All those people would later become family. In fact, because of our great commitment to protecting Mijikenda traditions, we were given Giriama names- Mbogo Wa Kimera and Jumwa Mwagandi,” she says. 

Celebration of their birthdays has remained unforgettably magical as well. They have travelled to Samburu National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lamu and the Kilifi Creek.

“The most unforgettable moment though, was Freddie’s 50th birthday in Mida Creek. There is a stunning scenery between a mangrove forest and the Indian Ocean.

We were joined by our relatives from Italy. We stayed in a beautiful house right on the magnificent creek and enjoyed the beauty of a magical and enchanting place—unique! As tourists, enjoying the multiple experiences that Watamu and the Creek offers was really good and funny, especially sharing with friends and family,” she intimates.

One of the biggest challenges the couple has had to face together includes the Covid-19 pandemic, since a lot of Freddie’s work involves tourism.

For the past two years, many stakeholders closed down their businesses and suspend their promotional activities with him.

So, he had to invent other ways of promoting Malindi, Watamu and  other parts of Kenya. He started making videos to keep the interest of tourists in Italy and Europe who couldn’t travel because of the pandemic. 

Going forward

“He is a determined and ingenious person who always comes with new ideas. He never gives up and is always looking for solutions.

So, two years after the start of the pandemic, Freddie presence is still felt through his articles, reports, videos and developing new ideas for tourism promotion, environmental protection projects and more,” shares the photographer. 

One trait that propels him forward is curiosity. His desire to learn more about every subject, physical or virtual, especially is his engine of intelligence.

His hunger for knowledge on various subjects always inspires him to study and explore each story in more detailed manner.

But all this search for truth and desire to learn more makes him precise and meticulous. He is a humorous and creative person. 

“Travelling is no longer just about visiting new places, but also about getting to know the people who live there, listening to their stories and then delving deeper into them through personal research. With him, I’m growing in experiencing the many different aspects of Kenya too,” she says. 

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