Salvatore Monni and the extraordinary collection with thousands of librettos and recordings of Sardinian singing

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"?

«The greatest of all time was in my opinion Tziu Fieli Urrur of Burcei, like Efisio Loni, Francesco Farci and Francesco Loddo. All great. Urru was also the teacher of two of today's best improvising poets, Antonio Pani from Quartu Sant'Elena and Eliseo Vargiu from Quartucciu».

What do you think of the future of Campidanese improvised poetry?

«The future is in the hands of young people both on stage and listening. There are numerous talented young cantadoris of the latest generation. Like my sons Simone and Severino. I am thinking of Luigi Zuncheddu, Luca Pinna and Matteo Frau. All talents that bode well for the future. I am sure they will be able to revive the fortunes of this great tradition and create the fascination and interest necessary for other young people to come to sing and listen. As long as I can, I won't miss any cantata. The new season is about to start, my mp3 player and my audio cassette recorder are already ready».

And while he talks, Salvatore Monni caresses his infinite library. He holds her dear as a son.