INTERVIEW TO MS BERTOSSI NIVES
Nives, a gemonese inhabitant that lives in the boundless countryside of Via Marzars, one time could admire the stone’s walls with a binder. Her stories got us excited and made us realize how our grandparents lived. She told us that the walls offered the only defense from wild animals and warmed the cultivated land during the night. Walls have always been part of her life and nowadays, after their decline, are still important for her. With our project we are working to give life again and praise these historical stone walls. Now we’ll get the interview that is really meaningful for us:
How did people live in this village once?
I have been living here since I was born and an aspect that has always characterized this place is living together, sharing and having fun. Fun that was even in small things such as: hide and seek, playing in the hay, in the barn and with wagons…
What memories do you have about the agricultural activities that took place and in particular those related to the cultivation of the vine plant?
We children had to collect the sticks from the ground and help with the hay, while the older ones took care of the heavier work.
Was the mentality of the boys of the past different from that of the boys of now?
Yes, absolutely. Once at the base there was the respect for parents, family and above all for things. To earn even just a scoop of ice cream, in fact, you had to help at home by doing different tasks such as: washing up, cleaning and cooking. In short, it was not all as easy and automatic as now.
How were the relationships between people?
There was a totally different way of approaching others, at the base of the relationships in fact there was sharing: everyone tried to help each other, without demanding anything in return. People were more empathic, helpful, and less reserved. Everyone knew each other and in case of need you could count on the help of anyone. Now things have changed, the guys spend most of their time on the mobile, no one knows how to have fun without it anymore. In the past having fun meant just going out for a ride or for taking milk.
How are the boys of now in your eyes?
Today's kids are unhappy and dissatisfied and it seems that they always have to prove to others that they have a happy and trouble-free life, when in reality it is just frivolous and worthless things. I believe respect for parents, grandparents and the people around us must be taught, because the wheel turns and "it will not always be spring".
How do you see our future?
I do not see your future well, but I am optimistic and I hope things may change because after all, you deserve it.
