They didn't come for the landscape, but to understand why people live longer here. A team of geriatricians, researchers, and healthcare managers from the Netherlands included Ogliastra in its international study on Blue Zones. Then they traveled inland, where statistics become people. Their goal: to meet the elderly directly. First, a stop in Seui, then a meeting at Casa Pirarba, in Arzana. In recent days, the delegation was welcomed by Flavio Piras, the owner of the facility, and the guests. No slides, no lab coats.

A circle of chairs, coffee, presentations, and Sardinian dancing in the hall. The experts asked about daily life: what people eat, how much they exercise, the importance of family, closeness, faith, and work in the fields. The guests responded with their stories, built on simplicity and continuity. After the session at Casa Pirarba, the delegation moved to Santa Maria Navarrese to meet with Andrea Fabbo, manager of the Ogliastra Local Health Authority.

Ogliastra is one of the regions that symbolizes longevity worldwide, known for its high historical presence of centenarians, particularly among the mountainous inland communities. The Sardinian Blue Zone has been made famous by longevity studies conducted since the early 2000s. Its focus is not only on the number of people reaching very advanced ages, but also on lifestyle, social relationships, and the environmental context that can contribute to healthy aging. The Dutch delegation we hosted reiterated the need to study the model from scientific, cultural, and social perspectives. Finally, the Ogliastra Local Health Authority will be at the forefront of promoting prevention for healthy and active aging, starting with studies on centenarians—the real ones, anyway.

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