Public Story
The return to the mountains. Sheep farming and ancient uses
Gian Vittorio is an architect who lived in the city for some years, but his family is linked to sheep farming and the mountains of the Cuneo area (in the southwest of Piedmont).
Towards the end of the sixties of the twentieth century, Gian Vittorio's parents moved to Turin - the capital of the region - escaping from the poor and desolate mountains in which they had lived for years, and where now only the old and dilapidated houses remained.
The strong attachment to the origins of his family however pushed Gian Vittorio to continue to frequent the mountains of his childhood, where he returned every summer. The passion for that way of life, towards animals and the idea of returning to lead a life at the slow rhythm of the seasons have convinced Gian Vittorio to change his existence: from being an architect who lives in the city, to becoming a shepherd in the mountains.
Gian Vittorio then decides to found a farm in the Langhe, but from the summer of 2021 he moved his herd of goats (of the Roccaverano species) to Paraloup, in the Stura valley for the first time. The choice to go back to carrying out an ancient and useful job, and to do it in a place so rich in history and memory, fully symbolizes the launch of an important project for the community and for the entire valley.
The story of Gian Vittorio, in fact, is an excellent example of how in mountain areas - not only in Piedmont - typical productions represent the only model of sustainable and lasting micro-economic development.
The small local productions of the Stura valley allow the maintenance of social and cultural traditions linked to the rural world, allowing the harmonious exploitation of otherwise unused territories.
Reportage made with Miriam Rubeis
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