Every human life is a synthesis of the history of the entire race, a transition from the simple to
the complex, from the unstructured to the over-structured. Climax is an opportunity to
break down, to reduce to the bare minimum. If after the simple there is the complex, after the
complex can the simple come back? Or rather, is it possible to imagine a stable balance
between the two?
The editorial suggests a reflection by investigating the material culture
of the rural world, through its remnants in contemporary society. The focus is on the
project dimension of the peasant world, characterised by rigorous inventiveness and a
deep connection with nature. Through an approach that fuses ethnographic investigation
and the author's autobiographical memories, the richness and complexity of peasant culture
is explored through the micro-history of Nando, the last example of this culture.
The aim is to reflect on the possibility of a harmonious relationship between humans and the natural
world, broadening the consideration of what can be considered a 'project', contributing to
the promotion of greater identity awareness and appreciation of Italy's cultural heritage.
