The title explains it all.
Equilibrium.
Something beyond personal likings and opinions.
An objective value.
In medio stat virtus.
Not too strong, nor too light. Not too pungent, nor tasteless. Not too green, nor too yellow. Not too liquid, nor too viscous.
Balanced.
but how do you reach equilibrium. not only with olive oil?
With the smile.
This is how Nicola Mastrocola picks olives.
We can notice the aerobic poisition withour understanding where the feet stay.
We can notice the hat to protect from the sun – at first sight – and , more likely, from the screaches of the branches
We cam notice that he…is staying in balance on a tree.
But in reality what stands out is the smile..
Nicola picks the olives in an artisanal way, with the plastic comb. Then he goes up to pick them by hand, one by one, on the high branches. Meanwhile he smiles.
The won the prize last year, conferred by the Pro Loco di Farneta. They gave it to him without having competed, virtually without his knowledge. This year there have been no registrations, presentations, tastings and judgments yet.
But judging by the way Nicola works, I wouldn’t be surprised if he got the award again this year.
Marcella Ansaldo