One Year in the Life of a Part Time Hermit
Johannes M Schwarz|2023|Italy
In 2015 a catholic priest bought and fixed up a hut in the Italian Alps. This 12-part series follows one year in his life.
Fr. Johannes Schwarz has been a number of things in his life: an untalented actor, an average artist, a passing street performer, an avid long distance walker, a shepherd of lizards, a consumer of ridiculous quantities of fromage blanc and an ok priest - or so he hopes. Since 2015 he has called a hermitage in the Piemonte region of Italy his part time home adding project planner and procrastinating permaculture novice to his mediocre achievements. But he does have solid beard.
Type
Multiple Episodes
Genre
Documentary
Episodes
EPISODE 1
46 MINUTES
January - Of digging a hole and understanding the Past
I dug an impressive hole, saw the limits of winter camping, tried to finish an icon and reminisced about how I got here. Reflection on man's problem of not being able to sit quietly in a room alone.
EPISODE 2
44 MINUTES
February - Of digging a better hole
About leading a double life, preparing for the next winter, Italian sayings and digging an even better hole. Reflections on truth and freedom, two Gods and two ways to engage with reality.
EPISODE 3
48 MINUTES
March - Of winter's return, storms and toys for men
An early spring, looming snow, emerging wildlife and the biggest hole yet in my little garden. Reflections on modernity, its strengths and failings.
EPISODE 4
40 MINUTES
April - Of terracing, a roof and the coming rains
Winter tries one last time and the walipini (geo-thermal) greenhouse gets a roof. Everything starts to blossom, frogs move in and the rains come early. Reflections on science and the kind of stories it tells
EPISODE 5
44 MINUTES
May - Of birdsong, bees and dragonflies
More things blossom, the dragonflies hatch and the terrace in front of the house is on the verge of collapse. Reflections on idolatry, building on sand and what gives meaning to life.
EPISODE 6
43 MINUTES
June - Of a first harvest and a table to enjoy it on
The first berries are ripe for the taking. The fish have survived. And an outdoor table is made from left over wood. Reflections on 3000 gods and how to pick a winner.
EPISODE 7
40 MINUTES
July - Of cute enemies and building an unworthy temple
Taming the tomatoes and facing an arch nemesis. Looking back at the oratory build. Flowers and much greenery. Reflections on the three types of religious conceptions.
EPISODE 8
42 MINUTES
August - Of fighting tomatoes and building doors
Only a few days are spent on the mountain this month. They are spent harvesting and building a shaving horse . Looking back to when I replaced my metal door. Reflections on the Trinity
EPISODE 9
48 MINUTES
September - Of floors, bracken and thunderstorms
Bathroom upgrade and clearing terraces for a garden expansion. I also start planting 2500 bulbs of spring flowers. Will I be just feeding mice or have a garden full of colors come spring?
EPISODE 10
46 MINUTES
October - Of destroying my floor and making a new one
I was home in Austria for a bit to send out stickers and give talks. Back in the south I rip out my floor to insulate it. Wood is delivered for projects lying ahead.
EPISODE 11
48 MINUTES
November - Of trading rusted metal for wood shingles
November was mild, the weather held out and I finally replaced the half-rusted metal roof above the stairs. The cranes travel south and guests pop over for roasted chestnuts
EPISODE 12
47 MINUTES
December - Of winding down and picking up old habits
The gardening season comes to an end in bright colors. I visit a marvellous church and take on one new project and a very old one.
EPISODE 13
1 MINUTES
How to download the free ebook
Instruction for how to obtain the special pre-release of the ebook. Please note: I'm not a native speaker. The current text will contain some errors and oddities.
