Music, food and wine, nature and culture: a real journey of roots and with roots was the focus of the “Sound Migrations” event held on Thursday 19 September at the San Rossore Park in Pisa.
An event that celebrated the bond between the Italian and Italian-descendant communities scattered around the world and their land of origin, organized by Salty Music together with Tuscan Roots, with a musical and food and wine roots workshop that is part of the cycle of initiatives implemented by Italea Toscana, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to promote Roots Tourism in the regional territory.
An event that celebrated the bond between the Italian and Italian-descendant communities scattered around the world and their land of origin, organized by Salty Music together with Tuscan Roots, with a musical and food and wine roots workshop that is part of the cycle of initiatives implemented by Italea Toscana, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to promote Roots Tourism in the regional territory.
Sound Migrations in Pisa: roots workshops for Italian-descendants
Migrazioni Sonore took place in the splendid setting of the San Rossore Park in Pisa: the park is a protected natural area that is home to many animal and plant species and is a must for all those who love nature.
At the innermost point of the park, right near the beach, stands the Villa del Gombo: an eclectic-style chalet that is part of an ancient Savoy estate, then annexed to the assets of the Head of State at the time of Giovanni Gronchi.
Since the restoration of the 50s, which follows the style of bio-architecture with fascinating concentric environments, it has been used for special events within the park.
This area of the nature reserve is accessible only by electric or authorized vehicles, and in fact on the occasion of the event the group reached Villa del Gombo through a special electric train; during the trip there was an excursion with a French-speaking guide and environmental historical workshop on the evolution of the area from the early ‘900 to today, which allowed us to better understand the history and characteristics of the San Rossore Park.
At the innermost point of the park, right near the beach, stands the Villa del Gombo: an eclectic-style chalet that is part of an ancient Savoy estate, then annexed to the assets of the Head of State at the time of Giovanni Gronchi.
Since the restoration of the 50s, which follows the style of bio-architecture with fascinating concentric environments, it has been used for special events within the park.
This area of the nature reserve is accessible only by electric or authorized vehicles, and in fact on the occasion of the event the group reached Villa del Gombo through a special electric train; during the trip there was an excursion with a French-speaking guide and environmental historical workshop on the evolution of the area from the early ‘900 to today, which allowed us to better understand the history and characteristics of the San Rossore Park.
The central part of the workshop activities took place at the Villa del Gombo.
The group that participated in the event was made up of over eighty Italian-Canadian and Italian-loving people, involved by the tour operator Bella Tour, Salty Music and Tuscan Roots.
The meeting between the Italian-descendants from Quebec and the group of Tuscans took place through the use of Italian and French, which allowed the cultural exchange and the carrying out of the workshops.
The highlight of the event was the musical encounter between the Tuscan singer-songwriter Tommaso Novi and the Italian-Canadian singer-songwriter Marco Calliari, demonstrating the deep bonds that only music can create.
The group that participated in the event was made up of over eighty Italian-Canadian and Italian-loving people, involved by the tour operator Bella Tour, Salty Music and Tuscan Roots.
The meeting between the Italian-descendants from Quebec and the group of Tuscans took place through the use of Italian and French, which allowed the cultural exchange and the carrying out of the workshops.
The highlight of the event was the musical encounter between the Tuscan singer-songwriter Tommaso Novi and the Italian-Canadian singer-songwriter Marco Calliari, demonstrating the deep bonds that only music can create.
Tommaso Novi performed with “Fischio la musica della mia vita”, a real musical laboratory of the roots that allowed the group of Italian-descendants to understand a cultural characteristic deeply rooted in the local tradition, namely that of the whistle.
Novi in fact told how his grandfather was able to whistle and how these memories had affected him, to the point of convincing him to pursue a musical career. The whistle is a wind instrument that allows us to use our mouth as a sound box, in a similar way to an ocarina, and it is an instrument that can be trained and strengthened, until wonderful musical effects are obtained.
The Tuscan singer-songwriter showed the evolution of the whistle, from the ancient Tuscan peasant tradition, to its modern use in musical opera, soundtracks or Italian pop music.
Novi in fact told how his grandfather was able to whistle and how these memories had affected him, to the point of convincing him to pursue a musical career. The whistle is a wind instrument that allows us to use our mouth as a sound box, in a similar way to an ocarina, and it is an instrument that can be trained and strengthened, until wonderful musical effects are obtained.
The Tuscan singer-songwriter showed the evolution of the whistle, from the ancient Tuscan peasant tradition, to its modern use in musical opera, soundtracks or Italian pop music.
The musical meeting of Migrazioni Sonore then continued with Marco Calliari, an Italian-Canadian singer who delighted the audience with his repertoire, from the traditional music of Italian songwriting (such as Lucio Dalla and Piero Ciampi), to the most recent compositions.
Particular attention was paid to the songs of Claude Barzotti, son of emigrants in Belgium and known to the French-speaking world, whose song Le Rital, on the condition of Italians abroad, is remembered.
Particular attention was paid to the songs of Claude Barzotti, son of emigrants in Belgium and known to the French-speaking world, whose song Le Rital, on the condition of Italians abroad, is remembered.
At the end of the day, the food and wine workshop of the Roots called “Le Diner du Paysan” took place, which is an interactive buffet with typical local products.
Each dish was associated with a QR code system that described its origin, traditions and recipes, which even Italian-descendants will be able to replicate once they return to Canada.
The operators explained to the public the typical foods of the area, linking them to the history of the park: in fact, there were pine nuts from San Rossore, beach honey, cheeses, deer and wild boar cured meats. Zero-km products, deeply rooted in the history of the nature reserve, capable of stimulating the curiosity of the public and rediscovering authentic flavors of the Tuscan culinary richness.
Each dish was associated with a QR code system that described its origin, traditions and recipes, which even Italian-descendants will be able to replicate once they return to Canada.
The operators explained to the public the typical foods of the area, linking them to the history of the park: in fact, there were pine nuts from San Rossore, beach honey, cheeses, deer and wild boar cured meats. Zero-km products, deeply rooted in the history of the nature reserve, capable of stimulating the curiosity of the public and rediscovering authentic flavors of the Tuscan culinary richness.
At the end of Migrazioni Sonore, the group of Italian-descendants left for Pisa, not before receiving greetings from the organizers and local guests.
In fact, the President and Director of the Casa d’Italia in Montreal were present at the event, as well as the managers of the San Rossore Park, the organizers of Salty Music and Tuscan Roots, as well as the regional coordinator of Italea Toscana, which made it possible to further strengthen the bond between Tuscany and Québec.
In fact, the President and Director of the Casa d’Italia in Montreal were present at the event, as well as the managers of the San Rossore Park, the organizers of Salty Music and Tuscan Roots, as well as the regional coordinator of Italea Toscana, which made it possible to further strengthen the bond between Tuscany and Québec.
