Interview with Marco Albino Ferrari, journalist. How realistic is it to speculate on the future of the mountains, subject as they are to both lack of snow and dynamics related to depopulation? For many this scenario is already a reality. The economic model inspired by the “hit, buy and flee” mechanism seems so well-established as to encourage many operators and guests to reflect on the need to appreciate the original and authentic resources of the territory, and not the present system based on the purchase of multi-experience served up to the masses. A valuable opportunity to consider these arguments is the one proposed for Saturday 9th October in Madesimo at 5.30 at the Centro servizi when Marco Albino Ferrari will be key speaker at the gathering entitled “Stories of our futures, saving the mountains together” Journalist and writer, Ferrari will draw heavily from his latest book “Assalto alle Alpi” published by Einaudi, in which the author reflects on the role and identity of the mountains. “I’m always happy to come back to Valle Spluga.” he tells us in a long chat this summer, “Together with Bregaglia, Valchiavenna and more generally in the whole of Valtellina, they represent territories that I know well and in which I can feel comfortable”. His attachment to these places is more than evident and the magazine that Ferrari edits, Meridiani Montagne, boasts some splendid and collectible monographs of Pizzo Bernina and Via Spluga. “These are mountains which, through their harshness, express that genuine sense of endeavour, sacrifice and vulnerability. There’s so much we can gain from the observation of their time and history”. Today mountains that were once accessible to the few have become open to the general public. Is their romance disappearing?
“Maybe. Once the mountains are accessible to everyone, inevitably the habitat and its identity is affected. That sense of conquest and adventure expressed in the legendary feats of the old mountaineers hardly remains. Bicycles and ski lifts have replaced the sweat and struggles of old”. So it’s just a question of means and technology?
“It’s more about economic modelling. Mountains serving up emotions via the purchase of a ticket, the hire of an e-bike. In today’s culture if there is nothing for sale, there is no engagement. The taste for time-consuming challenge is disappearing. It’s a degenerative
model. No room for compromise then? “It’s a problem. We need to reflect on the way mountains are assaulted by tourism, to understand the effects it is having on the populations of Alpine towns and villages”. You refer to depopulation. Can you see a solution? “I shall address this in Madesimo. We must reflect on a new identity, redefine models of use and consider the transformation of the Alpine habitat through climate change”. The meeting on the 9th December will provide the opportunity to debate how the mountains have become a place of fun, often without consideration of biodiversity, environmental balance, agriculture and the social dynamics of the local populace. The economic importance of tourism in the Alps has perhaps outreached itself. Agriculture, livestock farming, crafts and culture should not become secondary.
