Sometimes a lifetime isn't enough to compensate for immense pain. Yet, somewhere, a small light finds a way to rekindle, first dimly, then ever brighter. Today, the life of Eva Federico, 54, a volunteer with the Civil Protection Department in Sinnai, is a splendid, sun-drenched courtyard. In a few hours, her son—known to everyone as EroCaddeo, but to her, her love, Damiano— will compete in the finals of "X Factor" in Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples. Her voice is agitated, and she's as busy as ever: "I'm grocery shopping, walking the dog, and I'm ready for the interview." She never stopped, after all: when there was no work, when money was scarce, when her husband never returned home, the victim of a work-related accident. She had two children, Morena and Damiano, to raise. And she did it in the best way possible.
Eva, are we leaving tomorrow?
"Yes, my daughter and I will be taking the first flight to Naples. My grandmother, my mother, really wanted to come too, but at 78 years old and with some ailments, we advised her to stay home."
A final that is the culmination of a rollercoaster of emotions that lasted months...
"There are no words to describe my happiness. Not for me, but for Damiano. He's always dreamed of what happened, he put so much effort into it."
And it made it to the end, did you expect that?
"As a mother, I hoped for it, of course, but I didn't imagine such support. It was a surprise for him, too."
When did Damiano's relationship with music begin?
"There was always music playing at the Caddeo house: it was a ritual after work, when dad would pick up his guitar and play. I would sing, and my children, still little, would follow me. We had so much fun."
Damiano then continued…
"For us it was just a game, but his talent was obvious. One day I signed up for a karaoke contest in Soleminis and "forced" him to come with me. He sang a Tiziano Ferro song, "Troppo buono." He must have been twelve, but he was already incredible."
And then?
"I gave him a ukulele, and he started writing his first songs, singing them at parties with friends. Until he won the "Radiolina Contest" in 2021. From there, everything changed."
What happened?
At the time, Damiano, a graphic designer with a high school diploma, was working here in Sardinia. But his commitments were incompatible with his increasingly frequent music travels. In the end, he made the difficult decision to leave for Turin and pursue his dream. I helped him in every way possible.
"Mom has always supported me," Damiano said. And it was for her that Luigi Tenco's "Vedrai vedrai" was in the semifinals.
There were many of us at the theater, many of you watching TV. But for me, Damiano, and Morena, it was like being alone in a room. You could hear his voice, I could look at my son's face and see the beauty radiating from the joy of having come this far, singing a song that means so much to us.
A declaration of love to the mother who raised him alone.
It was tough, but I want to thank Sinnai, a wonderful city that always loved us and helped us so much. When my husband Giorgio died, they raised money for us, and we were able to rent a house. It's support I'll never forget.
Today all of Sinnai, and all of Sardinia, are cheering for Damiano.
"It's a huge celebration here. People stop me in the street and congratulate me. Some fellow citizens will come to Naples armed with banners. And in the city, they'll be following the event live not only at the Teatro Civico but also at the VAB Sinnai, where I volunteer."
How would you describe your Damiano?
Sensitive, humane, altruistic. And then introverted, he has a shyness that hides behind a great sense of self-irony. I hope he always stays that way.
Are you afraid it might change?
«No, because he promised me: “Mom, if I become famous I'll still be famous.”»
When will he come home?
"I was hoping to join us right after the final, but there will be other commitments. He'll be with us at Christmas, that's for sure."
Predictions?
"What can I say? They're all good. But, modesty aside, my son has what it takes."