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.
