Franceschini: “Maracalagonis? My buen retiro "
A few months ago the representative of the Democratic Party and his wife Michela bought a house in the town of Cagliari
Minister, why didn't you buy a house in Porto Cervo?
"They cost too much. Too much for my pocket. But there is also another aspect ».
Which?
«The real Sardinia, the most authentic, in my opinion, is not that of the Costa Smeralda. Allow me to say that I speak with full knowledge of the facts: my paternal grandmother was from Sassari, my wife's maternal grandmother from Usini, I know your wonderful island well. “No potho reposare” was the soundtrack to our wedding ».
Dario Franceschini, 63, Minister of Culture of Mario Draghi's government, answers by phone very cordially from the house he has just bought in Maracalagonis. He spent the last weekend in Cagliari in total relaxation and plans to return for the summer holidays granted by his institutional commitment.
Why exactly in Maracalagonis?
«For some time I was looking for a typical Campidanese courtyard house, far from the areas too crowded with tourists, still close to the sea, perhaps in a typical village not too far from a city like Cagliari that has everything and is beautiful. I found this house on the Internet and with my wife we came to see it. We liked it very much, we have concluded the purchase ».
Fulfilled?
"Very very much. It will be our buen retiro, to spend in peace, with family and friends, days in total relaxation, in the name of rest and dinners with Sardinian cuisine and wines ».
How did you find it?
"Beautifully. I found hospitality and kindness in Maracalagonis, typical aspects of Sardinian hospitality that I know well ».
For real?
"Yup. For family reasons both my wife and I have always frequented Sardinia. The beach of Stintino is among the most beautiful in the world. I remember many days in Porto Ferro. And then in forty years of politics between the DC and the Democratic Party I have many friends on the island. But it would be simplistic to talk about Sardinia associating it only with the sea ».
Why a Campidanese house and not a villa?
«I visited the house museum of the painter Frida Kahlo in Mexico. A house built around an internal courtyard, spaces designed according to the needs of the family and the countryside. With the warehouses, the husks, the trees under which to enjoy the shade. An example of architecture without architecture, colorful, very colorful: in practice a Campidanese house on the other side of the world. We fell in love with these typical houses that we found in Southern Sardinia. They are a cultural heritage of the island, in my opinion, inserted in villages that need to be valued for their history, culture and tradition. We have looked for and bought it. With joy".
Complicated restoration?
"Absolutely no. We just thought about leaving intact the destination of the rooms, the materials, the colors. It is essential to respect the history of the Campidanese houses, unique homes, the works in these typical houses also have an important cultural aspect, made up of research, study, respect for the history of construction, in this case built between the end of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. Now we can enjoy it ».
The news spread quickly.
"I would like my privacy to be respected: I am a simple citizen who wants to spend a few moments of vacation in total harmony in Sardinia, away from the spotlight, from official meetings, from politics".
But you are a minister. To Culture.
“Look, just a hint of my work. We think that through culture Sardinia can become a tourist destination all year round. The giants of Monte Prama can become Sardinia's ambassadors all over the world ».
There is also the political question of the Sardinian Democratic Party ...
"I'm sorry, I'm on vacation in Maracalagonis, we leave politics outside the front door."
