A series of presentations exploring art, botany, and history, exploring Sardinia through the eyes and research of three authors: Giorgio Pellegrini, Mauro Ballero, and Roberto Mette. This is the theme of "Autumn Preview 2025," the latest installment of the "ViaConvento" series, which has been accompanying Quartu's book and Sardinian culture enthusiasts throughout the year. The three literary events will be held in the ancient Sa Dom'e Farra house museum , each beginning at 6:00 PM.
The exhibition is promoted by the Municipality of Quartu with the contribution of the Region. The first meeting of this new mini-cycle is organized in collaboration with the Estetica e Progresso Foundation and will be held on Thursday, September 25th: with the volume Su pilloneddu de su célu. A sign of Byzantium in Sardinian material culture (Delfino, 2024) the The protagonist will be Giorgio Pellegrini , who will be in conversation with Fabio Marcello . The essay takes the reader on a fascinating journey through iconology and iconography, in search of the origins of the lapwing, a symbol that extends from Byzantine Sardinia to the popular decorations of traditional chests. Giorgio Pellegrini (Cagliari, 1952), an art historian, taught History of Modern and Contemporary Art and History of Contemporary Architecture at the University of Cagliari. The author of numerous publications and conferences, he also served as Councilor for Culture for the City of Cagliari.
The second event, promoted in collaboration with Andalas de Amistade Trekking ASD and the Imago Mundi Association, is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30th . Mauro Ballero will be the guest speaker, presenting two volumes in a conversation with Gloria Lai : Aromatic Plants in Sardinia (Lisso, 2024) and Flowers of Sardinia (Carlo Delfino, 2024). The first book describes the essences that constitute the "scent of Sardinia," while the second offers a scientific and popular guide to the island's flowers, including both common and rare species. Mauro Ballero, a former professor of Pharmaceutical Biology, was Director of the Department of Botany at the University of Cagliari and of the Botanical Garden. Author of over 200 scientific publications, he has dedicated his career to the study of Sardinian flora and environment.
The autumn preview of the festival will conclude on Thursday, October 2nd with Roberto Mette and his book Terranoa a manu armada (Siendhas, 2024). The initiative, presented in collaboration with the Pro Loco Quartu Sant'Elena, includes a conversation between the author and Carlo Augusto Costa Melis . The book reconstructs the major criminal episodes of old Olbia, from the 17th century to 1847, with over forty events analyzed in detail, including genealogies, place names, and court documents. Roberto Mette, a tax expert and accountant, as well as a lecturer in workplace safety, is president of the Pro Loco of Alà dei Sardi. Active in cultural and associative fields, he has studied local history with a particular focus on Sardinia's collective memory and identity.
