From Andria to Barcelona with Apulian cuisine in my heart. While walking on holiday, through the crowded streets of the “Rambla”, one of the main avenues of the capital of Catalonia, we see, in an alley not far away, a sign that takes us back to Southern Italy: “Puglia on the table”.
Curiosity is great, we enter and immediately hear a familiar accent, a cadence that has very little of Spanish. He is Savino Liso, from Andria, forty-two years old and for more than a decade he has lived in one of the most famous cities in the world.
«I have been here for exactly eleven years – he begins – I joined my brother-in-law, also from Andria and who at the time, by choice, had started a restaurant business, still here, in the alleys of the old city, in the “Rambla” area. We are partners, we have four employees and we are also very happy.”
The luminous sign that shines above the room and stands out in “Carrer dels Escudellers” has the colors of Italy and the scent that spreads makes us feel at home; you can smell the unmistakable smell of focaccia, pizza and panzerotti and the oil they display with a yellow-green hue and with which they season everything, is that of Andria, strictly extra virgin olive oil.
«The Spaniards love Apulian cuisine – he continues satisfied – and even more the famous panzerotti. We also prepare lasagna but at the top of the list of preferences is the focaccia from Bari. Ours is a small environment, no more than 60m2 and we work mainly on weekends, from Thursday to Saturday. The demand is always high and allows us to live well and then, I want to say, we have brought the name of Puglia here to Barcelona. We also explain to customers what the products of our land are.”
Savino tells us and confides that he left his homeland not by choice but by necessity. In this period, after a motorbike accident, he is undergoing physiotherapy and will soon be back on the move as usual.
«I didn’t see a future in Andria. When I came here for a holiday I was fascinated by the nightlife of this city and seeing that there were no places that prepared Apulian cuisine I decided that it would be the right choice. So it was. The oil we use then makes the difference, it is ground from my brother-in-law’s land and it is Coratina olive, it differs from that of these areas which is white in colour. The confirmation of the quality of our products is that they are liked not only by Spaniards and foreigners but also by Italians themselves who are here for tourism.”
Savino had a commercial business in Andria but there were always many difficulties. «I had a clothing store but I couldn’t cover the monthly expenses. Too high rent and taxes in Italy kill dreams and projects; the State doesn’t help you and doesn’t provide relief on mortgages.”
Periodically waiting for Savino in Puglia are his three children, aged 14, 17 and 21. They only reach him in Spain when they go on holiday, they prefer to live where they were born, anchored to their roots.
«I have no nostalgia for my homeland, in fact, if I’m honest, I’m reluctant to return. I do it once every two months. Here the language is easy and people live peacefully and if you have a work problem and ask for an appointment with a contact person at the Municipality, they respect deadlines and promises. I look after my family from afar.”
Savino’s brother-in-law, also forty-two years old, is called Riccardo Magno and is keen to point out that Catalonia is now “home”. His children were born in Barcelona and for them Andria can only be found in those focaccias and panzerotti that are baked in their father’s pizzeria.
Savino’s only nostalgia? Go to the stadium on Sunday or away to watch Andria football. «I must recognize that here entrepreneurship is encouraged and assisted much more than in Italy and the human climate helps you live better; I say this sincerely without taking anything away from the prestige of my country but I must also recognize that here there is an air of happy welcome”.
Liso reiterates that there is a spirit of international friendship and there is also, as a fundamental characteristic, an effervescent and warm nightlife in line with the Iberian soul. In return it must be said that Savino and Bruno brought to Spain a brilliant example of Italian gastronomy and Apulian flavor and also the “Fidelis Andria” shirt.
