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So, on Saturday 20 February, in Nuoro, we presented the new cultural association Beyond Thirty-Nine Sezione Nuoro and my book Aunt Suelita and the Devil’s Project. For me, it was a strange event indeed, I confess. I’m not used to facing a Nugorese audience and organisation. I left Sardinia when I was eighteen and my professional and cultural development happened mainly abroad. Thus, many things turned out to be a complete surprise.
First of all, the organisation, well, the organisation was very friendly, which means that it was just a little rough and makeshift, with ambient noise, scattered conversations, greetings and, sometimes, background music too. We chose the location very deliberately, looking for a warm atmosphere because we didn’t want an academic ambience, which, maybe, would be too cold and formal. We selected a bar with literary ambitions and I have to say that our choice was successful. Many interested people came, more than usual, they said, and so the event soon became a tremendous coming-in party of about one hundred of people and developed in a blaze of comments and voices (too many, maybe).
Conviviality is a value here, I discovered again, and so forget Shakespearian plays in Cambridge’s woods, the religious silence of the audience, the composure of the speakers. Let’s dive into a happening, Ciriaco, and think of all the saints, that you have sinned in thought, word and deed… through your fault, through your fault, through your most grievous fault. I really don’t think that the audience understood the mission, the scope or the goal of our association, not at all, but really it didn’t matter since their presence was the most important thing as well as the handshakes, hugs and chats.
Anyway, after problems with microphones, the delay of the chorus, and the panic attacks of the speakers, suddenly the event took off and a sort of magical mood became evident and finally imposed itself on the bar. I used the adjective ‘magical’ and I’m sure that the credit for that was all of Miriam Zucchiatti and Gavino Poddighe, who introduced Aunt Suelita and read several pages, and hypnotised the spectators. A good performance indeed, very intense and compelling – and moving too. So, the event sailed triumphantly to an enthusiastic conclusion of music, hugs again with forgotten friends, and eventually food and red wine, sure enough.
What I have to add? Welcome back, Ciriaco, to the Mediterranean genes of your childhood. I really don’t know how to define this cultural event, but it was successful, very warm and… crowded, yes.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.A parte il tono scherzoso usato per l’inglese, l’evento è stato affascinante e diverso – anche per tutto quanto ho raccontato prima – e ha comunque consentito un approfondimento dell’esigenza di comunicare maggiormente e nei dovuti modi la Sardegna e Grazia Deledda (Beyond Thirty-Nine docet), e poi un’espressiva presentazione del libro Zia Suelita e il Progetto del Diavolo – che, per inciso, sta piacendo molto! Ringrazio i tanti amici presenti e quelli che non sono potuti venire ma sono stati vicini ugualmente, e ancora Il Nobel 26, MieleAmaro e il Coro Grazia Deledda. Un particolare abbraccio a Miriam Zucchiatti, bravissima, e al nostro impareggiabile Maestro Gavino Poddighe che tanto si batte per la cultura. Ad maiora.
Ciriaco Offeddu
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