The Privilege of Being Part of the RUTTER Project

When I first arrived in Lisbon at the end of 2019 to start my work in the RUTTER project, I barely knew who Magellan was, and the concept of an ocean route was something smoky, vague and elusive. In the office I was surrounded by people speaking exotic languages, too fast for me to understand the slightest bit of what was being said. The outbreak of the covid pandemic in March 2020 did not facilitate my integration into a research project in which I still wondered what my place was.

It was during my temporary return to Italy amidst the mandatory lockdown that things began to change. The social distancing measures prevented us from coming together, but during the lectures given by our PI, Prof. Henrique Leitão, I began to learn about a fascinating, complex but not difficult world. A moment of revelation for me was when Prof. Leitão told us about Magellan and his voyage - the first expedition capable of circumnavigating the world. He emphasized the importance of scientists and technical issues, such as calculating longitude, and celebrated the fact that Magellan was able to cross the Pacific Ocean on his first attempt, an unprecedented achievement in history. From that lesson during the pandemic, I derived an idea, and from that idea, a successful book on Magellan’s voyage was born.

In my subsequent years in Lisbon, I continued to learn a surprising number of things. They were the years of the greatest professional and personal growth in my life. Thanks to my international colleagues, I learned new working styles, methodologies, and approaches. I could discover more in a lunch conversation than if I had read entire books. These years have provided me with many benefits, such as international visibility and projects to pursue, but most importantly, friendships and professional relationships that I am sure will last for a long time. Although a new career path is opening before me, my role in the RUTTER project will not end but will be more marginal. Despite this, I will never cease to feel a part of this reality that has so decisively defined my identity as a scholar.

In conclusion, I would like to thank my boss, Prof. Henrique Leitão, for these pivotal years. I would also like to thank all my colleagues, which would be too many to mention individually by name, and I would not like to forget any of them, but to all, really to all, goes my gratitude. I also thank the Portuguese people for winning me over with their fascinating history, their past so dense and their culture so welcoming. [David Salomoni]