“It's about time they financed it. I proposed it years ago and they finally understood the importance of the project ». Chef Manuele Fanutza answers from the kitchen of his restaurant. «Turn the potatoes», he recommends to some collaborators, while he says he is satisfied with the 700,000 euros (350,000 a year) allocated by the regional financial institution in favor of the “Blue Zone Tour” event he conceived. To benefit from public funds is the Is Caravius association, which has its headquarters in its premises in Nuxis, a town of just over 1400 souls in the heart of Sulcis.
Small, but kissed by the recent law approved by the regional council: between public and private projects, one million and 200 thousand euros have been allocated.
The largest slice of the pie goes to the association led by Fanutza. For what? «I started thinking about it when I attended the Milan Expo in 2015: I want to make the food of Sardinian centenarians known all over the world», explains the busy chef, «we will start from the Middle East. We will also hold a press conference for more details," he explains. While waiting for more specifics on the project (the one presented by private individuals, not sporting, which received the greatest funding from the law), it must be said that Is Caravius is a very active association: in 2021 it had received 70 thousand euros from the regional council for "initiatives to enhance the territory and promote the conscious use of forest products".
“Of course, I was amazed by the entity. But I am very happy with the allocation, because it is money that arrives in the territory ». The details on the Blue Zone Tour are also unknown to the mayor of the town Romeo Ghilleri. Which of its own can rejoice in the funds destined for the Municipality's coffers: 50 thousand euros in 2023 as a "contribution for the organization of cultural, sporting, folk events for tourist interest", 250 thousand for the "functional, architectural and green redevelopment of the route between viale della Libertà and viale Indipendenza” and another 100,000 for the “completion of maintenance and safety measures for the municipal road called Is Aios”.
Lots of money: «Yes. Why us and not other municipalities? I do not know. However, I know that we presented the projects and they financed them for us». Thanks to amendments tabled by someone. Is there the signature of some regional councilor? "I would not know. In my opinion, the whole center-right has decided to enhance the country. Our motto», adds the mayor, «is to bring Nuxis out of Nuxis. We have the mountain to aim for, let's fight depopulation. And to do this, initiatives and infrastructures are needed».
The list of funds is not finished. In the financial law there are also 100 thousand euros in two years destined for the Speleo Club of the town, chaired by Roberto Curreli, a geologist, who is also the coordinator of the Lega in Nuxis: "It is money for the enhancement of the Sa Marchesa site", explains the mayor, which speaks of a museum area, a naturalistic geo-mining park and a cave that can be visited. «Of course, I was struck by the fact that only 50,000 euros were disbursed for this and 350,000 for Is Caravius. But for me it is important that money arrives in the area, to make it known», concludes Ghilleri.
In Sa Marchesa, according to the local press review, 330 thousand euros had already been allocated in December as a "contribution to investments financed by the agreement between the State and the Autonomous Region of Sardinia", for "Interventions for the conservation and enhancement of the prehistoric site".