ORgni morning, Francesca Fabrizififty -year -old Roman, loads the toolbox and brushes on the shoulder, and leaves the Skyscraper of Portoferraio where he lives, to go to reach one of the Five lanterns and 17 signaling lights scattered on the island of Elba, the rock of Africa and the former penitentiary of maximum security in Pianosa.
At home they remain the his daughters Alessia and Elena, who are 18 and 16 years old respectively. The only Italian Faristasince last December the new adventure of Elban regent on behalf of the Tiri Tyrrhenian Fari Area Command of the Navy.
“Before I was part of the State Forestry Corps, which was then absorbed in the carabinieri weapon, but I I don’t feel comfortable as a military: too much bureaucracy and rules. Instead – says Francesca – as commander of the Station of the Forestry Corps on the island of Giglio I was in seventh heaven. I was responsible for environmental protectionOf anti -harm, control of construction sites and compliance with the rules who protect animals from hunters both on the ground and at sea, for example navigating often on the islands of Montecristo and Giannutri ».
The relationship with the sea and with the islands of Francesca is long and deep, dates back to times of the University. «As a student I sold the fish at the counter of my stepfather in the Triumphal Market of Romethen I entered the forestry to pay my studies. At that time I practiced the free struggle, I was part of the national team. World Championship in Oslo -The Farista continues -. A summer, on vacation in Giglio, I break a foottherefore I had to stay longer than expected and I fell in love with those places. I decided that I would no longer leave, Staying to live for 18 years. But I would never have thought then that the profession I carry out now was waiting for me ».
Francesca Fabrizi previously commanded the Station of the Forestry Guard on the island of Giglio.
Architecture with a story
Fabrizi, returned the uniform and the weapon of forest carabiniere order, is assigned to a civil roleor to the Navy. He spends a year at the Naval Academy in Livorno, where he discovers that the Farista dell’Elba He is about to retire. Thus begins the whole pierce necessary to replace it, studying from Nautical Technical Assistant, passes the course specifically expected to deal with lanterns, as well as that of Boat leader.
“When I made it, I felt reconciled with the sea. Every day when I get up, from the window of the house I see all the reports of Portoferraio simultaneously. I know that a hard job awaits me, but I do it with joy. In practice, I take care of the entire maintenance of the headlights, providing for filming of plaster, to the painting of exterior and interior – continues Francesca – to make all the accommodations of electricity and de-exputering nature. Change the bulbs, check the functioning of the resistance, clean the glass and sprinkle the devices of the lamps. Guide the visits when the headlights come open to the public ».
Fabrizi has developed many practical skills during his professional life, which he now takes to bring the lighthouse of the strong star to Portoferraio in vogue. «It was in a state of abandonment, also and above all for the strong infiltrations of water. I’m restoring it alone. By removing the roofs, I came across one stone layer Handmade, which I brought back to the original state, then I will spread you above the suitable resins to resist the weather. Bado to these places That my grandparents remind me – says Francesca with emotion.
“La Sorgente” beach in Porto Ferraio, Elba Island (Getty Images).
For me, Graduated in Psychologythese lanterns represent authentic archetypes, they also act as psychological aidsolid reference in the storms of life. I feel I am invested with the privilege of being able to cure and keep alive and in shape these sentinels, which drawn with the respect that must be brought towards the architecture who made the history of the sea: for example, in lighthouse of the strong star, We recognize the signs of the cannon shots ».
The wonder of nothing
Unique in Italy to do his job, he had to win properly male resistance. “When I tell what I do to a man, register Renunctive reactions. At the beginning the colleagues considered impossible that I was able to lift the weights of the instruments, when you land on an island. More than the reaction of the people, however, I’m interested in the sea. Being the Farista – confesses Fabrizi – enters you indeliblely, to the point that get away from my island It costs me a lot of effort.
If I don’t see the water, it’s as if I had no more horizons, I feel closed in a box. When I go up to the top of the lighthouse of strong star, on wind days, and the white sea appears impenetrable behind me, I warn on me there wonder of nothing. In those moments it is As if the lungs dilated, And I was like a great breath ».
Absolute freedom
Francesca lives this adventure with carefree and absolute sense of freedom. When he discards the packages of the tools and service objects that arrive at home and who must bring with him to the Fortezza Focardo in Capoliveri, for example, it is as if he had in his hands A Christmas package. Soon he will also have a dinghy of his own and then he can move to the sea alone And maybe get accompanied by the two daughters.
“I always say that it is beautiful See the headlights at night from inside: The lantern warms you, caresses your skin. Someone considers these construction obsolete, instead the first cause of accidents at sea it is just excessive security with which we rely on technology. THE visual references are needed Again, they guide you safe towards the port And in life ».
A woman in Anacapri
Francesca Fabrizi early It will be followed by another woman who will take care of the historian and scenographic Faro di Punta Carena in Anacapri on the island of Capri. Even if his name and precise times of settlement have not yet been communicated from the Navy, which since 1911 has dealt with the management of the National network of maritime reports along the coasts of our peninsula and the islands and in the ports of national interest. The Navigation aids Currently in operation there are 847: 147 headlights and 727 lights (including the little ones, Mede – used to report the dry – and bright and not bright buoys).