The crew: “Mediterranei”

In the largest ports in the XVI century, merchants often went for a walk every day on the docks with the careful eye to the ships, looking on the decks, watching the deck gear, asking for information. It happened that, after wandering, they approached a sailing ship that would have set out shortly thereafter. They talked to some busy sailors, they asked who was the boatswain, they finally asked for the commander. It was not unusual for the commander that they invited him to drink a glass of wine in the tavern at the port, inquiring with him in detail about the trip that he was about to undertake. “A commercial trip , hmm … well, where are you leaving for? which is the crew? along which routes, how long will be the journey?” they asked. And so on. At the end of the conversation, after realizing who was the commander, the man, his life and his nautical experience, it could happen that the merchant made his offer: “I take ten karats of the expedition.” Quickly, the deal was signed, a signature and a handshake in front of a guarantor. It meant that the merchant financed the expedition because he believed, because he hoped for a return: his money plus a portion of the earnings coming from the expedition. Of course, at his own risk: was that commander really capable as they said? Would that ship have come back? Was he investing his money well? Who could know…

Progetto Mediterranea  is not a commercial expedition and it doesn’t operate traditional chartering activities, it does not aim for any particular economic return except for covering its costs. However, it is organized in a similar way to those vessels of the VXI century. This expedition has goals, a boat, a route, aiming at reaching cultural, nautical, scientific, human relations objectives.

A group of people red, understood, asked for information, and they decided to be part of the expedition, financially supporting the trip, participating in many different ways through collaboration, working together in the organization and coming aboard when it’s possible.

In this way, the small group of founders has become a large group of people, dozens of journey and sea lovers, all engaged and involved, which not by chance are called “Mediterranei”. This group supports the expedition, it is an integral part of it, collaborate in the project development, and some of them make up the Committee of Rais, who drives the boat throughout the trip.

No one will receive money in return for the given support, but everyone will collaborate to create, for himself and for others, a return far more rich and important, as well as much less “uncertain”: the expedition itself, rich of adventure, discovery, relationships, emotions, information and experiences. Life.

 

Here they are. Mediterranei:

Simone Perotti – Writer and sailor, among the founders of the Progetto Mediterranean. I have been sailing for decades, and for over twelve years I have been trying the way to freedom. I had the first idea od Progetto Mediterranea because sea and freedom are the most powerful suggestion I know. And then because of the Mediterranean, so fascinating and rich, we all must stop talking: we have to do navigate it, live it. Together.

 

franciFrancesca R. Piro – Physician and sommelier, among the founders of Progetto Mediterranea. On the sea, that found and fascinated me, I recognized my human dimension. Here I am, because I want to live and act. ‘The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity‘ [Amelia Earhart].

 

 

 

gianfrancoGianfranco Brunelli – “… Because knowing that somewhere, in the Mediterranean Sea, there’s a boat with friends waiting for you… is great”.

 

 

cristinaCristina Rubagotti – ‘If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea’ [Antoine de Saint-Exupery]. Sea, ancient stories, slow time and shared passion: that’s why Mediterranea is my journey.

 

 

giuseppeGiuseppe Amato – Sailing with Simone Perotti is one of a kind experience…When I left them they had been staying on the boat Mediterranea for 70 days continuously and, except for some ailments due to the efforts required by the management of such a big boat (almost 18 metres long), their eyes were dreamers’ eyes.

 

 

manuTManuela Tinti – A doughter, two cats. I love the islands and the sea, the people, the journey. I love to listen, smile, talk and share. And The Mediterranean is a large island with a lot of land around it, to sail and walk together with you, my friends. ‘…who tied a sail to the mast and combined the route and the drift, who rowed standing up with long woods: they know that the waters have faces. And over the faces emerge squalls, calms, currents and jumping fish who dream to fly’ [Faces – Erri De Luca].

 

 

armelixCinzia Armelisasso – Physician, expert as volunteer in international NGO associations. I have many passions in my life. One of these is the sea. In the sea there is the joy that feeds my hope and desire to always explore new paths. For this reason Mediterranea does for me and for my thirst for joy of life.

 

 

 

LauraLaura Gensini – I have always studied art history, but ‘there is nothing that has shaped me, fulfilled me, taught me – or built me – more than those stolen hours in the study, seemingly absent-minded, but deeply meditative in the subconscious worship of three or four indisputable divinities: the Sea, the Sky, the Sun. I unknowingly rediscovered wonder and primitive exaltation. I do not know of a book that could have the same value, or of an author who could create within us the same state of fruitful stupor, of contemplation and of communion that I had known…’ [Paul Valéry, Mediterranean Inspirations, 1933]. When I see the sea now, I realize it has become the greatest source of inspiration in my life.”

 

IMG 20140815 201139Teresa Ferrara – Physician. Mediterranean Sea to live, finally! Water, light, air, earth: essential, powerful and dynamic elements, like the feelings and relationships that they weave together. An ancient yet modern form of well-being. A culture of travel, of changes and of knowledge that evolves and costantly renewes itself.

 

 

Marzia MatteiMarzia Mattei – If you do not become the ocean, you’ll get seasick every day.

 

 

 

36747 1499383689945 7542615 n 1Michela Lippolis – “Sailing, sailing away like one’s soul sails even before seeing the light of day” [F. Guccini] A journey of comparison, understanding and acceptance. Necessary at a time when the world seems to go in the opposite direction.

 

Giuliana Crimella – I come from Mediterranean, which is not South or North, nor East nor West. It’s the liquid belly between Asia, Africa and Europe. If one was born on one of its edges, ha has in the blood an archipelago of peoples. We have received from the Mediterranean the civilization voices: vocabularies, arts, genio, foods, drinks, religions, hydraulic, laws and methods to scan the horizon of the stars. [Erri De Luca]

 

TanzaniaTiziano Paniz – From the mountains to the sea … with happy.

 

 

 

Nunzia

Nunzia Siragusa – Hello, I’m Nunzia, I was born in Rome 49 years ago. I’m a veterinarian by passion. I like to solve problems and try to overcome difficulties, build something, sit back and think. I like travelling, taking pictures, swimming, cooking, cleaning, reading. I like listening more than talking. I like floating on the sea making me carry by the wind. I like doing things with others and for others. I don’t like sleeping, I’m out of tune, I’m a vegetarian but I don’t exclude eggs and cheese from my diet. I don’t get tired easily.I chose Progetto Mediterranea because I think I have found all the things I like to do and the opportunity to discover new ones while sharing life’s time with others members.

DSC 0225Emilia Cevasco – I’ m trying to be a free person. I’m a dreamer. I love the sea, the open spaces, the distant horizons, I especially love freedom and I believe in humanity.I believe in a new dialogue between Mediterrnean people. That’s why I’m here!

 

unnamedStefania Nardini – Journalist and writer. “There is truth only in the eternity of the sea”

 

 

 

DodoDominique Donatella Neubert, called DoDo – Hi, I am Donatella Dominique Neubert, but everybody calls me Dodo. I am born in Paris from a Berliner father and a Venetian mother. Since 50 years I live in Rome. Divorced with two grown-up children, since 9 years I am also Greek, thanks to my partner. Sailing and the sea have always been part of our family life. At two years my father took me by boat, and I never went down.The Mediterranean and in particular the Aegean sea are my world. The Mediterranean Project captured me and confirmed to me that despite my variegated roots, I belong profoundly to this Mare Nostrum. I like everything about our sea, history, geography, people, food and I always feel at home. But I do not like what is happening to the Mediterranean and its people. Participating, even if late due to a somewhat chaotic family situation, was a real dream. Now I’m happy to be here. Glad to meet you. My motto, coined at about 3 years, is “jamais Dodo ne diras Zut, toujours Merde” said in English, “Dodo will never say “Zut” (in French it is equivalent to say “damn!”) but always “Shit”.

 

laura 1Laura Giusti – … because I found myself… in the eyes, in the smiles, in the energies by sharing, comparing and searching. The sea, the waves, the smell of saltiness, the wind on the skin, the moon and the stars… The Nature is Freedom, an unique ‘Universe’ we are part of and it is The Essence. I love this world since years, it’s me! I love sailing and sailing boats as you always create a special relationship with them by testing the ability to navigate, to make decisions, to forecast the meteorological phenomena, to measure the human limit in front of this wonderful Immense. It is vain cheating ourselves behind ‘scaffolding’ just to believe that we are seriously LIVING… First of all honesty and self-awareness, forgiveness and gratitude with ourselves and other people for growth and Soul evolvement… it is a Journey… What ‘s the Course? Follow the second star on the right and then straight until the morning. Soul, I’m chasing that star with frequencies of love… Thank you!

 

 

Max Tremolizzo – Milanese by birth, imported from Salento, Computer geek. Mediterranea is for me the mental state in which the stories, thoughts, laughter, tears, images and sounds experienced on board are nourishment for my soul;  hay for my terrestrial life.

 

 

 

Caterina Castellano – with a 20-year-old son, technologist by job, dancer by passion. Reliable and pragmatic, finally bored of being as they wanted me, I said ADESSO BASTA. Simone’s first book, the following ones and the chronicles from Mediterranea have made grow my desire to get on board, to join this group of visionary nonconformists with great humanity.

 

 

 

Federica Marmo – Mediterranean Sea  is my sea, and I have been wandering and living it for 40 years, speaking with it. What is there, under the sea surface? How does life flow beyond the horizon of my Mediterranean and what  reflects in the eyes of those ones who see themselves reflected in the same waters but in a different place from mine? If I move along its coasts, would the voice of Mediterranean always be the same, or would it tell me different stories? Where do I come from and why am I who I am? To answer these and many other questions I studied biology, I traveled to the mainland and explored the underwater world. Finally I embarked on the beautiful Mediterranean sailing boat. What I have seen, heard, experienced thanks to this project and whoever is part of it, has literally changed the course of my life. Today, my Mediterranean Sea and world is no longer just in front of me but it’s all around me. Thanks to Mediterranea and the Project and the people, I can finally comprehend it.

 

 

Tommaso Abeltino – My name is Tomaso and I’m from Palau, a small tourist place in north Sardinia. I always loved the Sea, since I grew up very close to the coast, living and feeling it all the way: sailing, swimming and also scuba diving.
I graduated from the Merchant Navy school for Captains but I chose to be an IT guy. I spent a lot of years being a sailing instructor in different schools, used to sail a lot with friends and sometimes also professional Skipper. When I met Progetto Mediterranea I realized I wanted to be part of it, since it represents all of what I care about in my life: Sailing, Friendship, Culture, Science… I hardly can ask more!

 

 

 

Sonia Cabibbo – Progetto Mediterranea Is love for the Sea and sailing. Union and sharing. Roots in the Mediterranean sea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valentino VogliottiValentino Vogliotti – Nothing in my life and training until not so long ago could make me think I wash ere today but… as they say “ship happens” and therefore all that remains in to prepare a small bag, whit the essentials insade, and leave, find friends, smell the wind, share the route, the salad and the pasta… Then, while you tidy up the bunk, you also tidy up your thoughts, to have only sea and wind around makes you reborn every day, and every day you can be better…

 

 

 

Regina Rodari – I live in the lombard countryside of Lago Maggiore. Water is my element, the sea is my passion. I love the light, the smells and the wonderful mix of cultures and living peoples who live the coast of the Mediterranean sea. For me, becoming a Mediterranean member is not just “giving up the moorings” but meeting a broad humanity, overcoming borders and opening mind and perhaps proving that this Sea can still teach us so much…

 

 

 

 

Lea Svanosio – Life is a journey: people, teachings, sensations, places, dances, knowledge, sun, sunsets, meetings, laughter and tears. I am the result of every moment in a mix of great chaos! Contrasts: reasoning versus instinct. There are moments… and this is the moment of my change! In my change there is also Progetto Mediterranea which has accompanied me and will accompany me on my journey.

 

 

 

Stefano Maneri

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cristina Martiri –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giancarlo Antonacci – Whenever I embark on a journey with Mediterranea, it is always a special moment, filled with curiosity for all the crew members who, with each voyage, share their passion for this project and enrich me with their diverse life experiences.

Thanks to Mediterranea, I have seen the sea from a new perspective. It has strengthened my awareness and confirmed how precious our environmental contribution is, aiming to leave future generations with at least the hope of a more sustainable future.

 

 

 

 

Milena Piubello – Milly, 46 years old from Verona.
I believe in the small seeds and drops of the ocean.
I enjoy immersing myself in reading a book, sitting in front of a blazing fireplace, or facing the vastness of the sea.
I like listening to other people’s stories and learning new things.
I love eating, trying new flavors, and sitting cross-legged in a convivial manner.
I am crazy about traveling. I could go anywhere, anytime. Just give me a small backpack, and off I go!
I love the smell of bread, mint, curry, Coccoina glue, frangipane, and sunscreen.
I have always been a scout and deeply believe in all the values of scouting.
I love to laugh, sing at the top of my lungs, and dance. I enjoy being swept away by the magic of certain phrases in songs.
I believe in love. In all its forms. The only true driving force for me.
Hygge is my favorite word.

Coming soon:

Francesco Gori

Laura Donzelli