Diary of a child born at the mouth of a mine
CONCORDIA VILLA ECCLESIAE CHOIR
In the pages that follow, I have the pleasure of taking you on a profound journey through Sardinian Iglesiente culture, a land that holds traditions, stories and passions that are intertwined with my own life. The poems you will read are the fruit of a sincere love for the language and traditions of my land, some experienced personally, others passed down from generation to generation. Together, these words form a mosaic of emotions, a vivid reflection of the stories told in the Diary of a Child Born at the Mouth of a Mine, representing the historical memory of a people and a land inextricably linked to its mining identity. Every poem you will find in these pages is a tribute to my land and its people. They represent the deep bond that unites me to the roots of a community, witness to a life of sacrifices, hopes and dreams. They are not just words, but a tribute to the environment that formed me, the life stories that shaped its culture and the sounds that characterise its soul. Some of these lyrics have been transformed into music by the Master Mariano Garauwhose talent was able to give voice to the words in an extraordinary way. In fact, some of the pieces are now part of the repertoire of the Coro Polifonico Concordia Villa Ecclesiae of Iglesias, directed by my friend Paolo Autelitano, who has masterfully rendered the choir a spokesperson for the history and memory of a city that grew and developed thanks to its mining tradition. The incipits of the music are included in the Diary as a further testimony of this artistic collaboration that united words and sounds, poetry and music, creating a bridge between the past and the present. I would like these notes, along with the verses, to resonate in the heart of the listener, offering a tangible taste of the indissoluble bond that unites the musical culture and local tradition of this beautiful land.
Acknowledgements
A to my mum and dad, who, with boundless love, raised a family, enabling us to live in harmony, serenity and the warmth of their affection, without ever letting us feel the burden of the sacrifices they bore.
To my brothers and sisters, who have shared unforgettable moments with me. But above all to you, Sergio, my big brother, whom I would have so loved to have by my side to leaf through these pages together, laugh at our memories and relive the past that brought us so close together. You left us far too soon, leaving a void that nothing will ever be able to fill.
A Cristina, my wife, who, with her patience and love, has listened to my stories, giving me the strength and determination to carry on with this project, which is about me, but also, in a way, about us.
A Edoardo, my son, to whom I wanted to convey the idea that parents, too, were once young, full of dreams and that zest for life which sometimes leads one to make mistakes, but which always leaves something precious to share with friends as one grows up.
To the Maestro Mariano Garau, who, with his extraordinary melodies, has managed to transform the stories of my life into pure musical magic. His art has given my memories a musical soul.
A my brother Mauro, the twin – the partner and friend everyone would love to have by their side.
A Maria Dolores Dessì, for believing in this story and for his valuable advice, which helped me to give shape and soul to this work.
I would like to extend a special thank you to your mother, who was the first to read and comment on the early drafts of my diary, with passion, curiosity and a critical eye.
To Alessandro Fois, for their valuable advice, careful review of the content and vital contribution to the graphic design of this book.
And, finally, to you who have helped me to believe wholeheartedly that every story deserves to be told. Because every life is a unique book, made up of pages which, once closed, risk being forgotten forever.
Thank you…
