Among the rolling hills of Upper Molise, seven hundred and fifty meters above the ancient land of Samnium, stands the bronze statue of a knife grinder at work.

Bent over his grinding wheel, he seems to gaze toward the horizon—the very same horizon that hundreds of men like him once looked upon before setting off in search of a new future.

Many left the small village of Sant’Elena after the war. They were master sharpeners, carrying with them exceptional craftsmanship and the ability to restore any tool that came into their hands.

Among them were Celestino Durante and his wife Luisa. Gathering the few belongings they had, they set out toward a new horizon.

Their destination was Rome.

The scent of iron and gasoline filled the air.

Between one sharpening job and the next, Celestino frequented barbershops and artisan workshops throughout the Eternal City, learning their craft. After countless sacrifices, his bicycle became a shop. In time, the grinding wheel gave way to colognes and lotions. Years passed, and the knife grinder became one of the Capital’s most respected perfumers.