An extraordinary collection, indeed a true library of Sardinian culture: Salvatore Monni, 67 years old from Burcei, a former emigrant to Piedmont, with residence once again in the "country of cherries", in 40 years has created a masterpiece collecting between the squares and the festivals of the Sardinia thousands of librettos and recordings of Sardinian poetry.
Perhaps a unique casket of extraordinary cultural and historical interest. Those librettos and those recordings tell the stages of Campidanese improvised singing from the 1950s to the present day. In fact, the protagonists are not only the poets but also the listeners, critical and attentive in recording or transcribing the poetic competitions which already from the end of the 1700s, in different forms, were among the most important events that characterize the religious village festivals and are not in the 'Island. Alongside his collection, Salvatore Monni, father of the mayor of Burcei, Simone Monni, tells his extraordinary story with Sardinian song.
How was this passion born?
«The passion was handed down to me from my father. I tried to pass it on to my sons Simone and Severino who today are part of the roster of Campidanese improvising poets who perform on the stages of Sardinia».
How did you create your collection?
«I started with a few audio cassettes, going around the squares of Sardinia for more than 40 years. Today I have a collection of about 3500 recordings.».
Has it been a tour of village festivals since the early 1980s?
«The passion was so strong that as a young man I spent the summer between work, family and cantadoris, sleeping very few hours in order not to miss the opportunity to be present, listening to ''is cantadas''. Fortunately my wife Marisa has always followed me and still does even if due to my numerous health problems, everything becomes a little more difficult».
Salvatore has a dense network of passionate friends with whom he shares recordings and librettos: among these Efisio Pili di Quartucciu, Felice Melis di Selargius and many others. One way to help save this extraordinary cultural heritage from being lost. Who were the greatest "cantadoris"?
