“The forest of chestnut trees in Pianello is one of the most beautiful in Europe, according to a study by many specialists. It consists of over a thousand remarkable trees. It is an ornament of exceptional beauty, which is near the heart of the people of this county.
The depopulation of villages and the abandonment of the culture resulted in the emergence of diseases such as “ink disease” and cancer on the bark of trees, which have little means to defend themselves.
To bring this precious heritage to the attention of the public was initially the subject of a baseline study, conducted by the Odarc. In addition, the ASL Bertecchie, founded in 2007, has made in cooperation with the agricultural board an assessment of the work that has to be performed.
To save a chestnut forest of this magnitude demands a huge investment that owners cannot come up with.
Last year, the association had signed a multi-year agreement with a farmer who was eager for renovating more than ten acres, a project funded by the CTC. This year, a second young producer signed an agreement for an area of twenty hectares with an area sponsored by the Fundazione di Corsica, chaired by Jean-François Bernardini.
The ASL Bertecchie proposed to the Foundation to support a “remarkable sector both from an ecological perspective as regards to the chestnut cultivation”. The area also contains a wealth of architectural works of high cultural value, such as fountains, drying racks or even mule paths.
“This sponsorship fits and reinforces the general program of the rehabilitation work that started last September with the pruning of trees, and the construction of a pathway of over a mile,” emphasizes Jean-François Bernardini.
An agreement has been signed between ASL Bertecchie and its director Mathieu Agostini and the AFC, in the meeting hall of the town hall of the village.
In it’s willingness to support this ambitious project, Fundazione di Corsica pledged to the ASL Bertecchie the sum of € 12 500 ($17,900) for the rehabilitation of 50 chestnut trees. An initial check of € 6 250 ($8,950) has been given to the association. A second, with the same amount, is promised for the completion of the rehabilitation.”
As stated in my post about the new album of I Muvrini, I said I have met Jean-François Bernardini on Tuesday in Brussels in the building of the European Economic and Social Committee. He was there as the president of the “Associu pè di una Fundazione Corsica “(AFC) for the opening of the exhibition “I Culori d’Umani”.
This exhibition consists of paintings made for the AFC by 130 painters. During 2010 they will be auctioned in Paris (Hôtel Marcel Dassault, Rond-point des Champs-Élysées 7, 75008 Paris). Many of them are now exhibited until December 4th on the 6th floor of the institute, located on the Rue Belliard 99, 1040 Bruxelles. It is worth the effort to take a look. There is a wide variation in the paintings and sculptures and I can not imagine there is not anything that you will not like.
On the website I Culori d’Umani you can also view the paintings, but of course that is never as beautiful as in real life. Remember to take your identity papers with you and be prepared that you are examined for not having any suspicious metal objects with you, because you will have to pass a gate that is checking this. Jean-François made a beautiful speech that lasted about fifteen minutes. Some well-known people from the Giru passed by. As his centenary friend Vincent, a sort of father figure for him, and the bumblebee with which he has a good relatioship, and the German scholars who have translated “Carnet pour Sarah” which will be published soon there. But also the adolescents who met child psychiatrist Marcel Rufo at the l’Università di L’Omu and discussed with him how it is like to live as a 17-year old adolescent on Corsica. This meeting was sponsored by the AFC. Click here to read a French report of the Corse Matin about it.
And then the camera stopped filming (#*$%*^$!). I quickly pressed once again on the recording button to be able to show the end of the speech too. I have thus missed onl 5 seconds. In this piece he talks about the silence of the village where he comes from, Tagliu-Isulacciu, and that from this silence an incredible strength rises up. Anyone who has ever been there, and has been sitting on the stone bench in front of the studio, will confirm this. It is wonderfully quiet, but not lethargic or quiet meaningless. I think a ’strong’ silence is the best title to describe it.
After this there was a beautiful table covered with all kinds of delicious snacks.It did not take much time to make it all empty. Then we all returned home, inspired by the words of Jean-François and with stomachs filled with Corsican delicacies.
The title of the new album of I Muvrini is "Gioia". The new single "Una Terranova" is a cooperation with Grand Corps Malade. The release of both items is scheduled on Monday, March 22. Click here to find more info about "Gioia" and how to order it online.
You can listen to sound bites of the I Muvrini songs on the websites of Fnac , Virgin and Apple's Itunes store. You can also buy their albums, books, and t-shirts in their digital shop. Click here to get there.
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