S'Ozzastru and the Ancient Olive Trees of Sardinia

Some trees are old — and then there's S’Ozzastru. Nestled near the village of Luras on the island of Sardinia, this ancient olive tree has stood for nearly 4,000 years. Also known as "The Great Patriarch" or "The Patriarch of Nature," the bronze age tree is a living witness to the rise and fall of civilizations.

How has it endured for millennia? Who, across the centuries, has found shelter beneath its branches? And will the millennial olive trees of Sardinia continue to survive?

Join us as we travel to the heart of the Mediterranean in search of secrets to one of the world’s oldest living trees. 🌿

Guests
Anna Maria Corda
Tour Guide, Olivastri di Millenari di Luras
Luras, Sardinia, Italy

Marco Campus
Agronomist, AGRIS
Progetto Olivi Montiferru
Oristano, Sardinia

Fabio Piras
Agronomist, AGRIS
Progetto Olivi Montiferru
Oristano, Sardinia

Gianluigi Pili
Agronomist, AGRIS
Progetto Olivi Montiferru
Oristano, Sardinia

Emanuele Cauli
Agronomist, AGRIS
Progetto Olivi Montiferru
Oristano, Sardinia

Music
Launeddas - Luigi Lai
Cantu a tenore vocals - Su Dillu

Songs from "S'arreppicu," Luigi Lai
    Ripsosa pippiu
    Fiorassiu in la (danza)
    Goccius a Santu Idiu
    S'arrepicu

Reading
Elias Portolu by Grazia Deledda
Translated by Kevan Houser

Guest Reader
Manuela Buonanno

Other References
International Olive Council website
"Why the Mediterranean is a Climate Change Hotspot," MIT News

Special thanks to
Ed Nardell
Cristiana and Valerio, B&B Archè

Theme Music
Diccon Lee, www.deeleetree.com

Artwork
Dahn Hiuni, www.dahnhiuni.com/home

Website
thisoldtree.show
Transcripts available.

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This episode was written in part at LitArts RI, a community organization and co-working space that supports Rhode Island's creators.
litartsri.org