The confectioners from Graubündenweret and still are
legendary. In the beginning of the 20th century they established as emigrants
bakeries, pastry shops, bars and cafes in Amsterdam, Moscow, Dresden or in
Paris. As well Christian Callfisch, who originally came from the canton
Graubünden/Switzerland, did so in Trin. He opened up the famous "Caffè
Caflisch“ in the Sicilian city Palermo around 1900. Pippo Pollina sat
in "Caffè Caflisch“ for days during his student time and drank his
Espresso, read Lampedusas novel "il Gattopardo“ (the leopard) or prepared
himself for his exam in law. He did not become a jurist. But the jump of the
leopard took place. Because in the novel it is written that the one who tries
his luck has to leave the island. Lampedusa wrote his world famous novel at one
of the tables of "Caffè Caflisch" and Pollina had the heart to
take the big step over the ocean.
Only packed with his guitar and sleeping bag he travelled
through the northern countries of Europe and get caught in Switzerland. Last but
not least because of the songwriter Linard Bardill from Bünden, who got
to know him as street musician in Luzern and who immediately invited him to join
his tour through Engadin/Graubünden. A friendship was born that lasts already 22
years now.
"I nu passaran“ was the name of the program , "they won`t get
through it“, which was about fascists and racists, people who hate
foreigners and fake patriots. Bardills Rhaeto-Romanic songs were quite
militant for this time and Pollina knew about what they sang – in the
meantime he became an emigrant himself.
After the expanded tour through the alpine area Pollina
and Bardill came back to Sicily from time to time and always had a café
in the “Caflisch“: Quello giusto, the real Italian one. Today the Cafe is
fixed in Sicilian hands. The Caflischs returned to Switzerland. But
nevertheless is this place one of many witnesses that all people are foreign
persons, nearly everywhere and that tolerance and an open mind are the best
precondition that foreigners become friends.
Jazzhaus Records will release this Cd “Caffè Caflisch“
on 29. December 2009. At the same time the Swiss TV will broadcast a first
documentary in the show “10 vor 10“ about the album and its explosive issue.
Pollina and Bardill will return on 8. January 2009 with
their new program "Caffè Caflisch“ in Palermo and on 10th January 2009 in
Hausen am Albis. From January till December 2009 both musicians can be listened
to about 40 times in Germany, Austria, Italy and in Switzerland ( for example in
Dresden, Milano, Rome, Vienna, Salzburg, Zurich, Basle, Bern).
