D'Istanti. Faces and voices of Sardinia: the fourth episode concludes the journey between roots and territory

Parma – With its fourth and final episode, the project “D'Istanti. Volti e voci di Sardegna” comes to an end, once again telling the stories of Sardinian emigrants who have intertwined their roots with life in Emilia-Romagna. This final episode celebrates the journey that spanned four episodes, showing how the traditions of the Island can be renewed, enriched and find new strength in the comparison with a different land. As Massimiliano Testoni, president of the Circolo Culturale Grazia Deledda of Parma, emphasizes, emigration does not mean abandoning one's roots, but comparing them with a new context. This process transforms traditions into living and dynamic tools, capable of creating new cultural bridges. It is in this spirit that the final episode takes us through stories that tell the value of memory and sharing. Furthermore, all episodes will soon be available in LIS (Italian Sign Language).

Here are the links to watch or listen to episode 4 “Comparisons and Traditions” .

Alessia Murroni: the future in traditions

The episode opens with Alessia Murroni, a young student originally from Oristano, who found in the Circolo Grazia Deledda a place where she could express and cultivate her cultural identity. In addition to her studies, Alessia actively participates in the Circolo's traditional dance group, carrying on Sardinian dances as an act of continuity and belonging. For Alessia, dance is more than a pastime: it is a way to experience Sardinia in the present and transmit it to others, "through dance, I can feel connected to my roots, even if I live far from the island", she says. Her experience shows that the future of Sardinian traditions can be built even far from the homeland, thanks to young people who choose to preserve and enhance them.

Maria Assunta Patteri: commitment and identity

The second story takes us to Orgosolo, the hometown of Maria Assunta Patteri, who emigrated to Parma in the 1980s. A central figure in the activities of the Circolo Grazia Deledda, Assunta has dedicated her life to keeping Sardinian culture alive in her adopted community. Her participation in events, projects and initiatives is an example of how identity can become a driving force to create bonds between generations. For Assunta, the Circolo is a place where traditions, such as cuisine, dance and language, intertwine with the personal stories of those who, like her, live between two worlds. "You never really leave Sardinia: you carry it within you and share it with those around you," she explains. Her commitment represents the beating heart of what the "D'Istanti" project set out to tell.

Antonella Puddu: a family journey

The story of Antonella Puddu, also originally from Orgosolo, offers an intimate look at the value of family roots. Antonella moved to Panocchia, in the province of Parma, together with her sister Angela, building a life that has managed to maintain a strong bond with Sardinia. "We faced the change together, bringing with us the strength of our traditions," she says.
For Antonella, Sardinia is not just a memory, but a living part of her daily life. Her experience shows that emigration, if experienced as a family, can become an opportunity to strengthen bonds, keeping one's roots alive even in a new context.

The Dance Group: The Island in Motion

The episode ends with a tribute to the Circolo Grazia Deledda dance group, a tangible example of how traditions can be lived and shared even far from Sardinia. The group, composed mainly of first and second generation Sardinian women, represents the desire to transmit the culture of the Island through the movements and rhythms of traditional dances. For the members of the group, dance is not only an artistic expression, but a language that tells stories, emotions and identities. Each performance is an act of memory and renewal, a way to keep alive the bond with the Island and with the community of Parma.

A journey that continues

The fourth episode of “D'Istanti. Volti e voci di Sardegna” concludes a project that has told with depth and sensitivity the bond between Sardinia and its emigrants. The stories of Alessia, Assunta, Antonella and the dance group demonstrate that roots are not lost with distance, but can transform into a force that enriches and unites.

The project ends, but the journey of Sardinian traditions continues, carried forward by those who live Sardinia as an inseparable part of their daily lives. “D'Istanti” leaves us with a certainty: even far from the Island, Sardinian culture has the power to renew itself and inspire .

Video documentary available online

Here are the links to watch or listen to episode 4 “Comparisons and Traditions” .

Written and produced by: Grazia Deledda Cultural Circle of Parma

Funded by: Autonomous Region of Sardinia

With the support of: FASI (Federation of Sardinian Associations in Italy)

Presented by: Massimiliano Testoni

Host: Laura Scanu

With the collaboration of: Eleonora Puggioni and Pasqualina Pira

Follow the project to see the four episodes translated into LIS (Italian Sign Language) .