Learning by Bellowing: A Story of Passion from the Brembana Valley
Matteo Fracassetti, a young man from Sedrina, has transformed his love for animals into an activity that brings children and adults closer to the beauty of rural life. With his donkeys and other farm animals, Matteo leads educational and recreational experiences that focus on the relationship with nature.
Its reality, “Ragliando S'Impara”, was born from the desire to offer activities with a strong social value, aimed at guests from 5 to 99 years old: groups, schools, kindergartens, families, individuals, summer camps and even hospices. Each proposal takes place in close contact with the animals that populate its small farm - ponies, goats, sheep, alpacas, a dog and especially the donkey, a meek, patient and extraordinarily relationship-prone animal.
Field activities include an initial close encounter with the animal. Participants learn how to brush the donkey, observe the hoof and teeth, and recognize body language, particularly the significance of ear position. There is no shortage of daily care of the animal, from shoveling manure to preparing a balanced food ration.
Alongside the educational activities, Matteo offers someggiata walking. In these itineraries the donkey is not ridden, but accompanied along multi-hour routes through the Brembana Valley. The trails, designed to enhance the tradition, culture, gastronomy and nature of the area, allow visitors to discover mule tracks, springs, forests and, with a bit of luck, even local wildlife such as deer. The slow pace encourages observation of the landscape and allows young children to learn to recognize plants, bird songs and even the freshwater crayfish of the Giongo Valley. Numerous creative outdoor workshops designed for all ages round out the offerings: small nature workshops, manual activities such as making bees out of stones, decorating tiles, and more.
