Riparbella

GRANNY NELLA

The sun caresses my cats on the terrace which is the audience to these hills. The sea is down there. I am Caterina but everyone calls me Nella. I was born in this country and I know everything about it. The countryside, I mean. I know every stone, every sound, and every scent of every season. I know these olive trees that dance in the wind and torment us in the month of harvest; I know the trails of the deep woods that I traveled as a child; I know these vineyards, wedged between the forest and the countryside, which are full of hands to make wine.

But now, I live in the village with my cats, between the churches and squares where the old folks still discuss the weather and politics. I’m going to take a flower to my husband down there, to his monument in the cemetery. It is so beautiful and full of peace, that place… You know, at Christmas my grandchildren accompany me to see the animated Nativity. This countryside shines in my eyes and fills me with pride, as pride filled my grandmother’s eyes when I helped her at the country fair. I peeled potatoes when I was a little, but now, with help from Ottorina, Anna, Lucia, Annalisa, and Ubaldina. I cook for everyone, and I am a good cook. My speciality? Pappardelle al Cinghiale. I recommend it: if you have not tasted it yet, come see me at the fair. RIPARBELLA… Do you not hear it? Its virtues are already in the name.

For this, too, you must come

TOURIST OFFICE
RIPARBELLA
(from June 10th to September 10th)
City Hall Public Library
P.zza del Popolo 22
Tel. +390586.696052
+39 339.4797179
proloco.riparbella@gmail.com;
riparbella@costadegli etruschi.eu