Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”, anywhere in the world.
A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook where the geocacher enters the date they found it and signs it with their established code name. After signing into the log, the cache must be placed back exactly where the person found it. Larger containers such as plastic storage containers (Tupperware or similar) or ammunition boxes can also contain items for trading, usually toys or trinkets of little value.
The geocaches of Barga are somewhat different as they in fact do contain objects of value.
This is the first of a series of 20 geocaches which are being hidden in the around the medieval walled city of Barga (LU) In Tuscany over the next month.
The caches contain signed original artworks, drawings, charcoal drawings, prints and etchings by 15 artists working in this area.
There are also mini poems and short stories in Italian and Latin
Professional musicians have prepared a series of cards containing QR codes which when scanned by smart phones will play music specially written for the project. The music includes classic, jazz, piano, tango, rock and folk.
The project is an attempt to “raise the bar” on the level of objects which can be found and exchanged in geocaches.
We hope that the people who find these objects will enjoy them as much as we have in preparing them.
Nicola Salotti talking about his participation in the geocaching project
Marco Poma talking about his participation in the geocaching project
Andrea Guzzoletti talking about his participation in the geocaching project
Nick Kraczyna talking about his participation in the geocaching project
Rory Wilmer talking about his participation in the geocaching project
Andee Sorenson on facebook
It took me awhile to share about this alluring activity taking place in little town I once lived in Tuscany. This “geocaching” thing was new to me so I had to go get a grip on it. The site linked here is really informative. And now that i have the definition of geocaching handy, it seems funny yet fitting, that in a place where cultural treasures make the physical structure of the environment, locals are having fun planting yet another layer of “hidden treasures” to be discovered, mapped, etc…
Perhaps this modern sprinkling of cultural cache will spark a hunt for the wealth of knowledge and tradition and human spirit that is accessible in Barga and other culturally rich communities in this very green and lush Tuscan valley.
I, for one, am hopeful that this new layering is a sign of human and cultural flourishing in Barga. These places, like many places, will benefit our collective consciousness if they continue to vibrate with local music, art, festivities and food.