I first came to Sardinia to visit a fair that was being held in Macomer, and then after that occasion I became more familiar with the Island after spending several holidays there. Even before embarking on TV programmes, I have always found a great receptiveness and hospitality there, so I think I can say I am on very good terms with Sardinia and its people. I've also followed some of Sardinian life with the television programme in the same way that I've done for other regions.

2) The myth of the nun seal still holds. Everybody looks for it, some claim to have seen it, but nobody finds it. Maybe it is an animal that has disappeared from our Island. However, its image still continues to be important to the people who still believe in the legend of a paradise that doesn't exist anymore. So, why do those myths exist?

I don't think that the nun seal exists anymore. And I believe this is a mistake. I understand that a situation where fishing is poor, like in the Tyrrhenian Sea, the presence of an animal accustomed to feed itself on a large amount of fish can generate disturbing thoughts in the fishermen's minds. It would therefore be well timed to find the right balance to let man and nunseals live together. This could be achieved by establishing new profession which could give new economic returns. Probably, if the nun seal existed, one could develop a certain type of tourism, in different periods of the year, which would enable the Sardinian fishermen to sell their fish instead of throwing it away, like they are often forced to do because there isn't a market to receive their product. This would be necessary for the myth to become a reality.

3) Conventions, debates, conferences and shows are the manifestations employed to attract attention to the environmental problems in Sardinia. How useful are they? How much of it is business? How much is done for the community?

Certainly they are useful. Tourism is based on the capacity to project a good image of the Island, because when one goes on holiday for a few days every year one needs to live well: to stay in a nice place, to eat well, and to enjoy oneself. All of ones expectations are thrown into those few days, so for this reason when you have a publicity campaign you have to portray a strong image of your subject and every effort has to be made to achieve this goal. The attention to environment issues helps to achieve this goal. Sardinia must do everything it can to maintain its environment. Concerts, like the one Sting performed in aid of the forest fires which occur frequently in Sardinia, are invaluable, first of all because it broadcasts the problems to a wide audience and at the same time involves public opinion. However, any manifestation that puts Sardinia back in front of the eyes of everybody can only be seen as a favourable initiative, especially if it attracts the young and the rest of Italy to participate in this type of enjoyable activity.

4) Sardinia is an excellent tourist centre, but also home of inefficiency and disorganization. Could you tell us a reason for choosing Sardinia and one for avoiding it ?

I really don't feel that I can pinpoint a reason to avoid Sardinia. I want people to go to Sardinia. Maybe I can advise that a great service and organization shouldn't be expected. Only a few areas can qualify as being highly organized tourist zones. For example, if you want to go to visit the Giara to see the small wild horses, there is no one to take you there. You have to go in your own car. You arrive dying of thirst but there is nowhere to get a drink, you are hungry but there is nowhere to get anything to eat, and maybe the hotel is a long way away. Nevertheless it is worth going to as the view is truly beautiful, and if you eventually find a restaurant, you will find the most exceptional food. The only advice I can give is to complain, yes, because the Sardinians should get used to not always complaining that the State hasn't invested enough money, which in some cases is true. They should also listen to the complaints of the tourists who arrive in Sardinia and don't find the quality of service that they were expecting.

5) Your programme "Natura Ragazzi" on Telemontecarlo is aimed at a younger audience to direct awareness, again on the themes of environment and nature. What would you like to say to the Sardinian children?

Children need information not messages. A message can go to the parents and teachers to explain to the children that there was once a nunseal but today it has become a myth, and that it is up to the children to bring it back to reality.