In the heart of Abruzzo, among the pristine valleys of the Subequana Valley, a small group of children has given life to an extraordinary project: a podcast that narrates their territory through the voices of those who inhabit it. This initiative, promoted by the Municipality of Fontecchio in collaboration with Slow Food Abruzzo and Ilex Italy, has transformed the remoteness and isolation of mountain life into an opportunity for discovery and awareness.

Children grow up in an apparent tranquillity, far from large urban centers and immersed in a unique natural and cultural environment, where even ethnic or junk food is an unknown delight. One might think of it as a paradise, but it is also a place where going to the swimming pool means an hour-long drive to L’Aquila. 

It is a place where attending high school requires taking the bus some hours in advance and where, due to depopulation, the number of children is strictly monitored, fearing that a sudden drop in births could lead to a premature school shutdown. The mountains are often synonymous of sacrifices: distances are significant, winters are long and sometimes snowy, and roads are more borders than links.

The main purpose of this project was to prove how living in these environments is not only a great privilege but a chance to be the witness and the keeper of a fascinating reality that often transforms into a unique relationship with the mountain.

During the school year, the 22 students of the Giovanni Titta Rosa primary school in Fontecchio participated in a training program that led them to explore their territory and meet people who, through their life choices, have helped keep it alive and authentic. They interviewed five of the “keepers”:

• Alessio Di Giulio from Foresta Modello, who, some years ago, after living in a big city, moved to Fontecchio to protect and map the valley’s ancient trees.
• Adriana Tronca, from Vigna di More, used to live in Franciacorta. After dreaming of her grandmother, she decided to return to Goriano Valli to cultivate her family’s land and challenge the mountain climate by producing high-altitude sparkling wine.
• Annamaria Alberti, from Antica DiMora, restored an old family farmhouse, transforming it into a place of memory and rebirth, where guests, thanks to her amazing hospitality, feel right at home. 
• Antonio Cercarelli, from Azienda Agricola di Cercarelli Antonio Jr. fulfilled his childhood dream by taking over his grandfather’s stone mill. Today, he grows and mills his wheat, facing the challenges of coexisting with bears—whose presence, however, at times also fills him with joy.
• Claudio Mancinelli, Azienda Agricola Claudio Mancienelli left his factory job to reconnect with nature and farming following biodynamic principles. 

With the support of the director Alessandro Di Gregorio, children conducted the interviews themselves, creating a podcast of 5 episodes and 18 segments named “Seminando Storie”.  A true audio archive that tells the story of the land through the voices of those who live there and preserve it.

Through this project, the children have learned to see their homeland in a different light, understanding that these mountains are not a place to run away from but a place to be close to where they can build and shape their future, whilst we learnt that even in the smallest village, a little story can become a great novel if told through the voice and eyes of a child.  Their valuable project and archive will be launched and celebrated in Fontecchio on Thursday, 13 March!

This project is promoted by the Municipality of Fontecchio in collaboration with Slow Food Abruzzo and Ilex Italy and is funded by the Mountain Development Fund of the Abruzzo Region.

Author: Erica D'incecco