Hunting and Traditions: Fucecchio, hunters and owners of the Padule land gathered in the “Il Padule” Association to recover traditions and enhance the territory.
Volunteer associations operating in the field of rediscovering traditions and territories are increasingly numerous. In Fucecchio the “Il Padule” Association has recently been noted for the commitment of its volunteers and for some significant initiatives. It is a group of hunters and landowners of the Fucecchio Marsh who, with a voluntary spirit, are committed to the recovery of traditions and the promotion of a territory that is unique for its environmental characteristics. And it is precisely the Fucecchiese side of the marshes that the association chaired by Paolo Pellegrini intends to promote. “This area - says the president - has nothing to envy to the Pistoia side of the humid area. It deserves to be valued much more than what has been done to date. Environment, culture and traditions represent a unique heritage that can also act as a driving force for eco-tourism.In our area, in the countryside surrounding Massarella, there are farmhouses, farms and accommodation facilities that have the potential to grow environmental tourism of Fucecchio. We have had proof of this potential even recently with the excursion we organized together with friends from CAI and Contrada Massarella ”.
"We had a great participation - explains the president - with appreciation both for the naturalistic beauties and for the work of the" old "padulants who showed their wisdom and their manual skills in the creation of some objects with marsh grasses and in the construction of fishing nets. Our volunteers, with their small boats, then led the visitors into the heart of the Marshes, with great skill and in maximum safety. The excursion organized together with the CAI was also the demonstration that the synergy between different associations can lead to significant results. "We strongly believe in collaboration with others and we think that associations and institutions together can give the decisive push to ensure that this territory can" take off "by fully exploiting its potential".
The initiatives, also thanks to the arrival of spring, continue: for April 25 the association "Il Padule" is planning a day dedicated to memory with the rediscovery of the stones dedicated to the people who lost their lives in the Massacre of the Padule di Fucecchio. A tragedy never forgotten in these lands where, in 1944, the German army was guilty of the massacre of 175 people, mostly women and children. “In agreement with the heirs of the missing persons - explains Pellegrini - we have decided to recover some of the stones that are present in the area in memory of those tragic events. I think keeping the memory alive is a useful way to celebrate April 25, not to forget those terrible facts ”.
Association 'Il Padule' - Fucecchio
(April 16, 2014)