"Thieving government, tyrant and torturer", can be read on that white wall that welcomes the visitor, at the gates of the town. Then, since yesterday morning, just below the artistic brush strokes, here is also a sign fixed with dowels, pride and conviction: "Unsuitable area". Then, an eloquent sign prohibiting the blocking of a wind turbine that no one in Orgosolo wants, much less in the naturalistic enchantment of Soràsi. "With this sign we want to remember that our battle against energy speculation, and which led to the drafting of the proposed law Pratobello 24, will continue", assures Pasquale Mereu, the mayor. "I invite my fellow mayors to do the same. The invaders will not arrive".
Unsuitable area
A sign with an unmistakable message, a sort of business card. Both for those arriving from Nuoro and for those reaching Orgosolo from nearby Mamoiada, passing through Galanoli. As if to say, hospitality is at home here, the Barbagia welcome is beyond discussion and is a well-known boast, however «no one has a ring in their nose and we will defend our territory in every way from this outrage, from these new monsters that someone would like to place in our countryside», whispers a man from Orgosolo. The battle against energy speculation still radiates from the center of the murals . The Pratobello 24 law, with its almost 211 thousand signatures, has not received the desired emergency procedure from the Regional Council. However, the fight does not lose intensity. «In the Region they are buying time, so that the devastation of this wonderful Island can be carried out», thunders Maria Grazia Demontis, of the Gallura committee against energy speculation. Then he adds, from the heart of Barbagia: «We can and want to protect our land. We can criticize this Regional Council that is pushing forward, against the will of the Sardinian people, a bill on “suitable areas” that is simply the derivative of a “Draghian diktat”. If it is pushed forward, it will see the accelerated devastation of this land». Demontis addresses the regional political class: «Can we disagree? Being critical is our right».
Shared anger
"You are in the territory of Orgosolo, here the people rule supreme and the Government obeys." The mural has been there for a long time, it helps to understand the approach of a community that continually reveals pride, a sense of belonging. The latest idea, namely the "Area non idonea" signs, allow this distinctive trait to be cemented. And politics cannot help but take it into account. "We reject this devastation that the State is carrying out with the connivance of our politicians, who sit both in Parliament and in the Region," says Pasquale Mereu. "In Cagliari they decided not to give priority to Pratobello 24 because it is certainly annoying. However, this law is the only one that could really solve the problems because it starts from article 3, letter "f", which gives priority and primary competence to the Sardinian Region."
Mobilization to the bitter end
The numerous island committees have no intention of retreating. The protection of the territory against wind and photovoltaic speculation remains the cornerstone. "The Pratobello bill cannot be discussed directly in the Chamber, without following the regular path", reiterated the group leaders of Campo Largo. Michele Zuddas, a lawyer who has been on the front line for months to stem the assault of renewables, from Orgosolo points out: "The "Area non idonea" sign is a political act, strong and symbolic, in response to those who decided that Pratobello should be treated without the emergency procedure. We will remain vigilant, we will protect this law with all means".
Gianfranco Locci