MEDITERRANEAN NETWORK OF POPULAR ORALITY

The project aims to build a new generation of “ carriers of words”, spreading and interpreting new techniques of verbal, musical and corporal communication, in order to find a universal language uniting all the world, the original kunt which is the foundation of every culture, despite the continuous differences.

This project was born for orality peoples, artists, singers, vocalists, what we like to call “ living libraries”. These “ carriers of words” have the task to diffuse value systems belonging to different cultures in the Mediterranean area, in an universal dimension, through the preferential system of voice, singing, oral tale.

Since 2007 UNESCO has recognized the importance of preserving and transmitting the enormous Intangible Heritage, produced by each area during the centuries, characterizing the uniqueness and originality of the traditions of the different social contexts.

This heritage, rich in artistic witnesses, is a fundamental part in the protection and reinforcement of the concept of cultural diversity.

Ensuring the safeguard of this heritage guarantees the preservation of cultural expressions of each individual and in every social context.

Corporal memory, listening, ability to transmit, essential factors in societies without writing, are handed down through songs, dances, and tales. It is well known that anything learned without positive emotions is easily forgotten. Modernity and globalization, characterizing our era and the place more and more predominant reserved to the writing, create a new context.

Nowadays society tries to communicate with very brief and quick images and texts, by defining the new concept of  “ return orality”, but even causing the loss of emotional and reflective components, which are evoked, on the contrary, by orality.

In collaboration with Fondation Esprit de Fès, Sacrée Musiques du Monde ( Morocco) and NGO Fawanees ( Egitto), the first act of working together for the creation of a Mediterranean Network of  Popular Culture was held in July 2008.

The Italian Network of Popular Culture has been presented in Morocco, during the Amazigh Esprit de Fès Festival, Sacred Music of the World, thanks to the participation, on 6^th July 2008, of the Group “ Canto a Tenore Cunsonu Santu Giuanne” from Thiesi ( Sassari).

In October 2008 the Italian Network of Popular Culture, in collaboration with the Association Herimed, the CULTNAT ( Ministry of Culture in Egypt) and the Association Fawanys ( Egypt) organized an international event in Egypt on popular orality.

The initiative supported by Piedmont Region was included in the “ week of Italian language in the world” and represented a real “ summit meeting” to lay the bases for a genuine and farsighted policy, aimed at saving the popular culture from extinction.

“ Through your words, the presence here of national and international organizations which have joined the initiative, projects and programs, it emerges strongly the role that culture can play in international and intercultural dialogue, for a process pf knowledge leading to recognition and respect for cultural diversity, which must be understood as a true wealth of humanity.

This dialogue is not possible if there is not  knowledge of reciprocal cultural riches. We know that material goods- the reference to pyramids is here obligatory- are more easily perceptible and recognizable by the communities. So it is easier to understand their weakness and to  take actions to plan their protection. Taking awareness of the preciousness and fragility of the intangible heritage, transmitted through oral tradition, is more difficult. Even if, this intervention is getting more and more urgent.”

Valter Giuliano “ Oral Traditions among the two shores of the Mediterranean: local  cultures and construction of network”,

Oral Tradition International Symposium, 24^th-26^th October, Il Cairo