Gianfranco Salonia, puppeteer
"The Sicilian puppet is a work of art between history and fantasy that recalls the childhood stories of every Sicilian"
Tales of old Sicilian people
Nar: Meanwhile, congratulations you are very elegant.
He: Very elegant … we are here …
Nar: Is that an antique watch?
He: Yes, I’ve had it for 70 years
Nar: What class are you?
He: 1928
Nar: What did you do in life?
He: A wonderful job for me : the pastor. I did it for 65 years.
Nar: It is true that the shepherds become a bit poets because they always think
He: Yes its true.
Nar: The sheep to whom your were fond of what was her name?
He: Maria
Nar: In the weekend back in your days you used to go to the sea?
He: Which sea … to work
Nar: And how did you meet your wife , did you take her to the club?
He: No, but what club!
I met her in a street in the village and I told her I liked her and she said to me: it’s fine with me but you have to talk to my parents first.
Nar: If they didn’t agree, she would do the fuitina
He: Sure
Splendid Tip (la fuitina)
Marriage proposals and dreams of old Sicilian people
Nar: To be 90 years old you look great
You: didn’t tell me your name
He: Giuseppe Terranova
Nar: Nickname?
U scuraru, but I don’t know what that means
Nar: Your name is Ma’m
She: Santina Todaro
Nar: Class?
She: 1939
My husband courted me from age 14 up to 23.
Nar: It was pretty tough huh?
She: And I always said no
I had so many marriage proposals, and I always said no
Nar: You arrived after the wedding at home, let’s get to the point. Did your heart beat the first wedding nigh?
She: yeah ..
Nar: How were you dressed?
She: I had a nightgown made by me
Nar: What color?
She: Light blue
I worked with sewing but then I had to leave because my husband didn’t want me to work, because I just had to take care of the house
Nar: Do you dream of those times?
He: I dream that I am with the animals, that I call themMontalbano Elicona-Milo, The Voice
The carrettiere
Interview taken from the Chitichitossa program, Italian Radio Public Network, 2010. A program by Giovanni Vallone (President of Splendid Sicily) Directed by: Daria Corrias Edited by: Fabiana Carambolante
Nar: Your name is
He: Lizzio Salvatore born in 1923
I was a carrettiere , a sort of truck driver of antiquity. I used to bring from Milo, 1000 meters high, and bring wood and fruit. I left at midnight. When I returned I used to bring things here to Milo: pasta, flour.
This work ended in the 1950s when the cars arrived.
Yes, I often dream of it me with my cart.
The horse was called Giorgio
Nar: Like my father
He: It lived 20 years.
I slept on the cart: Giorgio knew the way and returned alone.
Once they stopped me and stole the cherries and 1500 lire.
Nar: Listen Mr. Lizzio is it true as the saying goes: It was better when it was worse?
He: I have been alway good because work ennobles man
Nar: Was your cart painted?
He: Yes with Roman customs, with Nero
Thank you so much dear old Sicilian people!
Birth date characters: 1928, 1939/1923 (the carrettiere)
Location: Montalbano Elicona / Milo (the carrettiere)
Year of the interview: 2018/2010 (the carrettiere)
Shepherd, appointment with his future wife, “scuraru” nickname, light blue night gown,the carrettiere
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