BARDONECCHIA UNA VOLTA! 1 Puntata Giuseppe Ferrero

Summary

Giuseppe Ferrero recalls his memories of growing up in Bardonecchia, Italy, sharing insights into the town's community, traditions, and key landmarks. He describes how life in the 1950s and 60s involved skiing, hiking, playing tennis, and socializing at local gathering spots like La Mandia. He reminisces about famous individuals such as Walter Bonatti and Giovanni Giolitti, the town’s historical figures, and even mentions a significant cultural venue, the Hotel Palazzo Freius. Ferrero also reflects on changes in Bardonecchia’s landscape, with development altering its rural charm, yet preserving cherished memories from his youth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Giuseppe Ferrero's family has lived in Bardonecchia since 1889, with his grandfather starting a meat supply business for soldiers during the war.
• 😀 In his youth, winter activities in Bardonecchia included skiing, with a sledding trip to Pian del Sole before the installation of a chairlift.
• 😀 In summer, young people enjoyed mountain hikes, tennis, and socializing at local spots like 'La Mandia,' a venue that no longer exists.
• 😀 Bardonecchia's nightlife once featured several discotheques, but La Mandia was the most popular spot for socializing and dancing.
• 😀 The local lake, known as Stadio Littorio, served as a summer attraction with boats and transformed into a skating rink in the winter.
• 😀 Giuseppe fondly remembers the 1930s when his father played hockey on the frozen lake, and they would organize mountain hikes.
• 😀 Historical figures like Carlo Graziano, a World War I veteran, introduced Giuseppe to the mountain ranges of Bardonecchia.
• 😀 Giuseppe had memorable experiences exploring the local mountains with teacher Laura Bizzarri, including a trek to Mont Blanc and other surrounding peaks.
• 😀 He recalls meeting the famous alpinist Walter Bonatti, who lived in Bardonecchia and often socialized with locals, including young sports enthusiasts.
• 😀 Prominent figures like Giovanni Giolitti, an Italian statesman, visited Bardonecchia regularly and even contributed to the town's infrastructure, including a fountain still named after him.

Q & A

How long has Giuseppe Ferrero lived in Bardonecchia?

Giuseppe Ferrero has lived in Bardonecchia his entire life, as his family has been in the town since his grandfather arrived in 1889.

What was Giuseppe Ferrero’s family business?

Giuseppe Ferrero’s family was involved in butchery and livestock trading, continuing the work of his grandfather, who provided meat to soldiers in the Upper Valley.

How did children spend their winters in Bardonecchia during Giuseppe's youth?

During the winter, children would go skiing, walking up to the Smith field where a ski lift operated, and previously, there was a sled that took people to Pian del Sole.

What recreational activities were popular during the summer in Bardonecchia in the 1960s?

In the summer, people enjoyed mountain walks and some played tennis at a tennis court located near the Palazzo delle Feste.

What was the Mandia, and what happened to it?

The Mandia was a local dance venue where young people would meet and socialize. It no longer exists and was demolished during a renovation project.

How did Giuseppe Ferrero describe the social scene in Bardonecchia at night when he was young?

In the evenings, young people would gather at various dance venues, including the Mandia. It was a place where people could talk and connect, unlike today’s louder nightclubs.

Can you explain the significance of the Stadio Littorio in Bardonecchia?

The Stadio Littorio, used during the war, featured a lake with boats in the summer and an ice skating rink in the winter. It even had a hockey team in the 1930s.

What role did Carlo Graziano play in Giuseppe’s life, and what is his legacy?

Carlo Graziano was a public official who took Giuseppe on mountain trips and showed him the local alpine pastures. He was an important figure, especially in Giuseppe’s youth, and is buried in the Bardonecchia cemetery.

What connection did Walter Bonatti, the famous alpinist, have with Bardonecchia?

Walter Bonatti lived in Bardonecchia, and Giuseppe personally knew him. Bonatti was a friend of Giuseppe’s family, and they would go on hiking trips together, although not climbing expeditions.

Who was Giovanni Giolitti, and what was his connection to Bardonecchia?

Giovanni Giolitti was an influential Italian politician who frequently visited Bardonecchia. He was a friend of Giuseppe’s grandfather, and he contributed to the town by funding the Fontana Giolitti, a fountain that still exists today.

What impact did the construction of large buildings have on the town of Bardonecchia?

The construction of large buildings, such as the 'Solarium' condominium, led to the replacement of many smaller homes and green spaces in Bardonecchia, which Giuseppe laments as a loss of the town’s original charm.

How did Bardonecchia’s transportation system change over time?

Bardonecchia's transportation system has evolved, with trains once connecting the town to major cities like Paris and Milan. Today, the train services are less frequent, and there is a small shuttle service instead.

What memorable tradition involving an eagle took place in Bardonecchia?

In the past, there was a large cage with a real eagle in front of the Bar Medile, where a man named Giva would feed it meat from Giuseppe’s family’s butcher shop.