After an unsuccessful attempt to sail from Italy to Polynesia, the former teacher ended up on the Italian island of Budelli in 1989. He was captivated by the idyllic surroundings, and took over responsibility for the island.
But in 2015, the responsibility was given to a national park, and since then Morandi has been in conflict with the Italian authorities.
– I did not want to meet anyone else for several years. My choice was to live in direct contact with nature, says the hermit in an interview with CNN.
He has built a small cabin, and guarded the island from tourists and other outsiders. But now it’s over.
[ Etter okkupasjonen tok det ikke lang tid før hakekorset vaiet i skolegårdene ]
Cursed over the situation
Italian authorities believe that he is no longer allowed to be the island after the responsibility was given to the national park. They have long tried to get him removed, and now Budelli has given in.
In a Facebook post, reproduced by CNN, he writes that he is ready to leave, but adds that he is not very happy with the situation. He hopes the island will be guarded as well as he has done, and writes that he is cursed by the situation.
[ Slik vil de bytte ut bussturen til Bygdøy med sjøveien (+) ]
Kalles Italias Robinson Crusoe
In a previous interview, he has talked about his daily work on the island.
– I remove rubbish and stop intruders from coming here and making noise at night. The truth is that I am the only one who has taken care of Budelli, and done the surveillance job that the authorities should have done.
Where the road now goes for the former teacher known as Italy’s Robinson Crusoe is uncertain. But that the big city should be the goal is rather doubtful.
– I do not know where else I will live, certainly not at home in the north, or what I will do – this is my life, he has previously stated.
[ Christine (28) kjører T-bane: – Jeg tror folk kanskje tenker på det som en nedverdigende jobb? (+) ]
The park authorities do not rule out new cooperation
The national park tells CNN that they appreciate the work Morandi has done, but that he is being removed for security reasons. They will carry out a renovation of the area, but rule out a new collaboration with the former guard in the time to come.
They have previously stated that they have no choice but to remove illegal structures, such as Morandi’s cabin.
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