CapriReview_30_a.20100708104435.pdf

Il mito dell’isola nasce proprio dall’arte dell’accoglienza,capace di coccolare turisti epersonaggi famosi, facendoli sentire in famiglia.Con i suoi 26 anni, CostantinoEsposito rappresenta la terza generazioneche lavora al Gatto Bianco, l’albergo fondatodal nonno con i fratelli nel 1952. «Lavorarein famiglia è un dono prezioso. L’insegnamentopiù grande che mi è stato datoda mio nonno, e successivamente da miopadre, è l’arte dell’accoglienza. È una vocazionedella nostra famiglia fin dai primi delNovecento, quando la capostipite della famiglia“Carmela di Tragara” gestiva una famosalocanda». Costantino oggi si occupadel ricevimento e della portineria dell’albergoe, nel tempo libero, organizza seratein discoteca ed eventi, oltre ad avere unagrande passione per la fotografia. «Gli uniciaspetti negativi in un’azienda di famigliasono di non avere orari di lavoro ma di esseresempre a disposizione e di avere più responsabilitàdi un semplice dipendente.Comunque, mi ritengo un ragazzo fortunatoperché ho la possibilità di svolgere unlavoro che mi piace e che mi dá soddisfazioni,nel posto più bello del mondo. Lanostra isola meriterebbe più amore e rispettoda parte di tutti e credo che solo con unimpegno costante da parte di noi giovani sipossa invertire questa tendenza».Ragazzi predestinati che hanno mosso iprimi passi in ambienti frequentati daadulti indossando un cognome importante.Gianluigi Lembo, figlio trentatreennedello chansonnier Guido, ha ereditato lapassione per il by night. «Papà mi ha insegnatol’umiltà ed il coraggio, e la voglia disorridere sempre gestendo con serenità anchei momenti più difficili. Mi ha trasmessodei valori che mi sono utili anche nel lavoro,come il rispetto per i clienti e per le▼persone meno fortunate, ma soprathadbought for her at La Campanina while theywere vacationing on Capri.”Unforgettable pages that inevitably recount thefamily’s story through the memorableexperiences of its individual members, as is thecase with Vincenzo Sorrentino and the volumespublished by La Conchiglia. “I like to think of LaConchiglia not as a business, but a thrilling,challenging and rewarding adventure.Working for a family concern means, first andforemost, having a lot of responsibility, but alsotremendous enthusiasm, which is shared by those“who love what you love” who, having transmitted itto you, work with you so that this love might beshared more and more by others. On the journeywe make day by day there are no set roles orindividual tasks. It may seem strange, but I don’tremember how long I’ve worked in the familybusiness. I was born and grew up in thisenvironment, the bookshop was always myplayground, as it is now my workplace. I adorebooks, the feeling of them, their smell; I love caringfor them and above all publishing them, which Iconsider an almost unique privilege. Playing anactive part not only in their circulation but also intheir creation is an extraordinary experience, whileunearthing a painting, tracking down an author, andanalyzing every last detail is something moreintimate and special.” Vincenzo is in charge of theantique book section, and takes care of the displayof 19 th -century works in the bookshop in ViaCamerelle. “I was the little boy you used to sit onthe step and read in the small bookshop in ViaParroco Canale, who Roger Peyrefitte used to waveto before coming in. I was the little boy who toldAmedeo Maiuri’s daughter how he had discoveredthe little valley of butterflies inside Villa Jovis,without knowing that the kindly lady in questionwas the daughter of the man who had discoveredVilla Jovis. I was the little boy for so many, and I’mproud of still being that little boy for some.”Francesco and Renata De Angelis are among theislanders who have chosen to follow in theirparents’ footsteps and to continue to manage thefamily enterprises in the best tradition. They couldbe described as “old hands”, since they have beenmanaging the restaurant and wine bar LaCapannina Più for some time, always seeking outquality products. “Working in a family-runbusiness that has been active since the early 20 thcentury is rewarding, all the more so because thegroundwork has already been done. But it is also achallenge and a great responsibility, becausethere is a tradition to be maintained and sacrificesto be made daily. The values we have inherited areconscientiousness, willingness and cossetingpatrons, which stems from our upbringing,enthusiasm and professionalism. My sister and Iwere virtually born among the restaurant tables,and at home we lived and breathed catering andbusiness with our grandparents Francesco,Teresa, Renato and Flora. Rather than changing,we try always to keep abreast of the latestdevelopments, so that we can grow bothprofessionally and as a business.”[Padri e figli]The myth of Capri was born precisely from theislanders’ art of hospitality and the ability topamper tourists and the famous alike, making themfeel part of the family. Costantino Esposito is 26and represents the third generation at the GattoBianco, the hotel founded by Costantino’sgrandfather and his two brothers in 1952. “Beingable to work in a family business is a special gift.The most important thing my grandfather, and latermy father, taught me is the art of hospitality. Thishas been a family vocation since the early 20 thcentury, when the matriarch of the family ‘Carmeladi Tragara’ ran a well-known guesthouse.” Today,Costantino is in charge of reception and ofwelcoming guests. In his free time, he organizesdisco evenings and events, as well as being a keenphotographer. “The are only three negative aspectsof a family-run enterprise: there are no set workinghours, you’re always on call, and you have moreresponsibilities than an employee. Nevertheless, Iconsider myself lucky because I have the possibilityof doing something I like and find rewarding, in themost beautiful place in the world. Our islanddeserves to be loved and respected more byeveryone. I think that only an unwaveringcommitment on the part of the young generationcan achieve this, and reverse the present trend.”Chosen heirs with famous surnames who took theirfirst steps in clubs frequented by adults. Gianluigi,33-year old son of the chansonnier Guido Lembo,inherited his father’s passion for nightlife. “Myfather taught me humility and courage, and how tosmile, which enables you to deal calmly with themost difficult moments. He instilled in me valuesthat are also useful in my work, such as respect forpatrons and for less fortunate people, but, aboveall, the importance of the family, which alwaystakes priority over work.” Gianluigi manages theAnema e Core and Bye Bye Baby clubs and willstart running the Le Clochard nightclub this year.“What I like about my work is that I don’t haveregular hours and I’m always in contact withpeople. But working in a family business means thatyou constantly have to measure up to what you’veachieved in the past. The only negative aspect isthe fact that decisions have to be made jointly.”Looking back, he tells us: “I began working as awaiter when I was 16, with the great Ciro ‘ilquartino’ (a quartino being a quarter of a litre ofwine) and Franco Schiano, who said to me: “Seeingthat customers can give you the slip, make surethey pay you right away!” They pinned a notice onthe wall, reading: “Gianluigi ‘piezz’ ’e sapone’”(literally, piece of soap). This is the kind of relaxedatmosphere and camaraderie that makes you feelat home. When I was young I always used to thinkmy father was having a lot of fun while working, andnot many kids can say that.”An actual school of entrepreneurs who werebrought up on balance sheets, while learning thelessons of their fathers and sometimes theirgrandfathers. Before specializing in oenology,Mirko Brunetti from Anacapri spent most of histeens between the vineyards and the familywine-growing business, founded in 1909.▼77