A storia di castagnina
About us
Castagnina is a project that has always been in the back of my mind...
Figliola di a Castagniccia
I grew up in Bastia, but like many Corsicans, I come from a small village in the interior.
Far from the sea, far from the city, it was here in Parata d'Orezza that I spent all my holidays. In the heart of the Castagniccia, in the remains of this magnificent chestnut civilisation, I dreamt, walked, drew and wrote. Hoping and despairing for this abandoned land.
For a long time, I had a slightly nostalgic fondness for chestnuts - as for Corsica. Then I realised and decided that nothing was finished, and that it was also up to me to keep this fruit alive, and everything to which it links us.
Journey in Japan
In 2007, more than 15 years ago, I went to Japan for a research project.
As chance would have it, it was during the autumn months that I discovered Kansai, its megalopolises and its countryside. And that's how I came to realise that chestnuts are adored, celebrated and happily modernised here! At the table, of course, in delicious seasonal dishes, but also as an accompaniment to the beauty of everyday life, as a motif that softens the everyday, in so many landscapes and objects to enjoy all year round.
It took a long time for the project to develop and mature, but everything happens, and I launched it a few months ago! And here we are, Castagnina, my little publishing house for Made in Corsica objects.
A family of local designers
It has to be said that over the last few years I've done a lot of work around craft and design in Corsica.
These are all fragile crafts, but they carry a precious ethic and roots, and they are all creative processes that bring together the hand and the mind, the place and the use... If I can't make objects, I allow myself to imagine and design them, with the help of designers whose skills and lifestyle choices I appreciate.
Today, Castagnina is a beautiful family settled in the four corners of the island: Jérémy in Bocognano, Sandrine in Alandu, Manon in Cervione, Mathilde and Marie in Corte, Damien in Prunelli di Casacconi, Pantaleon in Nucariu, Mélanie in Venacu, Noémie in Patrimoniu, Coralie in Prunelli di Fiumorbu, Anne in Curbara... and others tomorrow!