SCA NEWSLETTER Vol 10 No 2
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Sa Oghe The voice of the Sardinian Cultural Association Victoria Vol 10 No 2 June 2015 Sa Die De Sa Sardigna celebrated La giornata di festività Sa die de sa Sardigna (il giorno della Sardegna), la festività che ricorda la sommossa dei vespri sardi del 28 aprile del 1794 a Cagliari, che costrinse alla fuga il viceré sabaudo Vincenzo Balbiano, istituita dal Consiglio regionale della Sardegna nel 1993 nominan- dola Giornata del popolo sardo, la comunità di Melbourne l’ha celebrata con una formula già collaudata con grande successo in occasione della conclusione dell’appello per le alluvioni del novembre 2013: un ottimo pranzo presso il Club Italia di Sunshine, diretto dal Leo Vargiu (presidente), con la preziosa collaborazione di Margaret Giudice. Questa volta in cucina non c’erano i ‘4 mori’ della gastrono- mia sarda in Australia, ma i cuochi quel culturale nel titolo ha una del club hanno dato prova di funzione ben precisa e anche in essere grandi interpreti, in quella questa occasione si è offerta una che è diventata una perfetta dimostrazione delle traduzioni sinergia tra la Sardinian Cultural culturali sarde, grazie a Stefano Association e il Club Italia di Sun- Rassu, titolare del ristorante shine cucinando impeccabilmente Pomodoro Sardo e di suo cugino gli splendidi ‘malloreddus’, gli Marco Frau, entrambi originari di gnocchetti sardi, preparati come Aritzo, un comune di 1.300 abitanti in provincia di Nuoro, sempre con maestria dalla gentilis- detti ‘Niargios’ durante i mesi situato nell’antica regione della sima signora Tonina Nolis. estivi. Nel vecchio centro sopravvi- Barbargia di Belvi. Durante la parte ufficiale della vono ancora i resti delle ‘domos de giornata il presidente del circolo Aritzo oggi è noto soprattutto nie’, le case della neve. come centro di villeggiatura sardo Paolo Lostia ha annunciato D’estate ad Aritzo è tradizione montana per la sua posizione che ci si avvicina verso il trasferi- gustare un caratteristico sorbetto strategica ai piedi del monte mento dei fondi raccolti per al limone denominato in lingua Gennargentu, a 800 metri sul l’appello alluvioni, al Comune di sarda “Sa Carapigna”, che Stefano livello del mare, ma nel passato il Onanì, per la ricostruzione del e Marco hanno preparato sotto gli comune sardo sin dai primi muro di contenimento dell’area sguardi sorpresi ed attoniti dei pre- decenni del Novecento, commer- del vecchio asilo nel complesso senti. ciava anche la neve che, dopo del Sacro Cuore. Armati di due sorbettiere, dei essere stata raccolta nelle Come spesso accade con la cilindri di acciaio con chiusura ‘neviere’, delle casse foderate di Sardinian Cultural Association, paglia, veniva venduta dai cosid- Continua p 4 Page 2 Sa Oghe Beautiful Sardinia By Fr Denis Travers The following article by Fr Denis decapitated persons (perhaps Moor- pire, Genoa, Sicily, Spain among other Travers, is reprinted, with permis- ish princes) who paid the ultimate powers and at various times was its sion, from Holy Cross Passionist price for defeat on the battlefield. If own Kingdom or Republic until it Family Newsletter on his recent indeed this is the true meaning or united with the Italian state in 1861. holiday in Sardinia. history of the flag, then one can un- Sardinia is a mountainous island with Our guide was uncompromising in derstand why modern Sardinians few coastal plains suitable for settle- her views “there are a lot of us would like to change it. ment and agriculture and thus it has who'd like to change our flag”, she never supported a large population. said. Our guide and commentator Being a Mediterranean island and was taking us on a walking tour of the somewhat isolated. old city area of Alghero (in the Prov- Sardinia was subJect to nearly one ince of Sassari). Alghero is the second thousand years of raiding by slave largest city on the island of Sardinia traders (e.g. as late as 1798 one raid and I was interested in her views and by Tunisians resulted in over 900 delved a little deeper into her rea- inhabitants being taken away as sons. slaves, whilst the last raid recorded One simple view tells you that the was in 1815. flag is not an ordinary design – for Sardinia, although part of the modern Today Sardinia with its population of the Sardinian flag is a white back- Italian state, has its own traditional 1.5 million is an autonomous region ground with the red cross of St language (Sardo – which incidentally of Italy and the second largest island George superimposed, but what is is closer to original Latin than even in the Mediterranean after Sicily. It is most obvious is the heads of the four modern Italian); but as it was also a great holiday 'get-away' for many Spanish territory for 400 years until Spanish and Italian holiday-makers the 1700's, many people also speak and the island's modern life reflects Catalans. Like many of the kingdoms this with many shops and eating of the Mediterranean, Sardinia has places catering for tourists all sum- changed hands from time to time mer long and the rugged interior at- (often at the whim of the ruling fam- tracting walkers and others simply ily), but today it forms part of mod- wanting to 'get-away' at other times ern Italy. Its near neighbour, Corsica, of the year. a mere swim to the north, was so rebellious that the Genoese republic And yes, the term 'sardine' used for (Genoa) decided simply to sell the the past 500 years in English to de- island to France and thus today Cor- scribe the small fish we know today, sica, which is more Italian than any- may have originated from the fact thing else, is part of modern France. that these small fish were once plen- tiful around the island of Sardinia! In contrast Sardinia has been occu- pied by Phoenicians, North Africans, Photos of Alghero: Ylenia Useli the Vandals, The Holy Roman Em- Moors that also decorate the flag. Some theories suggest that the four heads actually represent four victo- ries of the Spanish kingdom over the invading Moors (victories won in Spain itself). Given that Spain had influence and rule over Sardinia for a significant period of its history, per- haps its King of the time wished to immortalise these victories and set them in symbolic form into the flag. But other sources suggest that the four heads actually represent four Sa Oghe Page 3 From the President... Dear friends, • COASIT: 189 Faraday Flamy was a much loved dedicated As obviously evident I have writ- St. Carlton 3053 Tel. 9347 Financial Member of the SCA who ten this latest report in English 3555; has not been able to attend our recent functions due to ill health. due to ‘popular demand’, follow- • Centre of Italian Stud- Flamy, Jointly with her loving hus- ing the many previous versions ies: 247 Cardigan St. Carl- band Aldo were recently awarded written in Italian. ton 3053 – Tel. 9347 9144 a Certifcate of Recognition. I extend As always I thank all those who • Italian Institute of Cul- to her husband Aldo and their continue to support the SCA de- ture: family our sincere condolences spite many difficulties. I also take 233 Domain Rd. South reassuring them that I will never this opportunity to encourage Yarra 3141 – Tel. 9866 5931 forget the moving letter Flamy those who are not Financial Mem- • Dante Alighieri Society: wrote to the Committee of the bers become so, irrespective of SCA excusing herself and Aldo which part of Italy or nationality 308 Drummond St. Carlton 3053 – Tel. 9349 1143 for being unable to attend func- you are. This can easily be done tions. by forwarding your cheque, pay- • able to - Sardinian Cultural Asso- There are many others I take this opportunity to share ciation (Vic) Inc., and sent to The that can by found via a with you that, thanks to the sup- Secretary, Sardinian Cultural As- “Google” or other search port by a number of kind people, I engines. have recently received some un- sociation - PO Box 136 Heidel- berg Vic. 3084 thereby, taking I also take the opportunity to expected good news regarding a advantage of the following ex- thank those who participated at personal matter I have been re- tremely generous Membership the 15 March, San Giuseppe and searching for some time. Even Rates: 26 April Sa Die De Sa Sardigna though I have more to do it has made me very happy therefore, • Category A: Family, i.e. lunches, and in this regard I par- Husband, Partner & chil- ticular thank Tonina Nolis, Ste- my contemplation on this occa- dren under 18 $ 25-00 fano Rassu and Marco Frau for sions, which to me is very much their unrelenting efforts, as well as relevant in relationships, friend- • Category B: Single Leo Vargiu (President) and Marga- ships and even what we and oth- $ 15-00 ers are doing for the love of our ret Giudice (Functions Coordina- • origins & community, follows: Category C: Pensioner tor) of the Club Italia Sporting Couple $ 20-00 Club in Sunshine for their support “We've got this gift of love, but • Category D: Pensioner acknowledging that it is great that love is like a precious plant. Single $ 10-00 the relationship and friendship You can't just accept it and with this wonderful organisation is leave it in the cupboard or just • Category E: Student continuing to grow. think it's going to get on by it- (Over 18) $ 10-00 self. You've got to keep water- On a sad note I acknowledge the On the 2nd. of June, 2015 we many of our long term members ing it.