"Andiamo a Sanremo" , sang Fabri Fibra in 2007. If this title of one of the pioneers of Italian rap is a satire, it reflects well the double image of the Festival of Sanremo. Sometimes considered as a microcosm of the aging self, sometimes as a dream and an achievement for hundreds of artists. The Italian song festival remains one of the most anticipated events on the peninsula. For five days, the whole country sets itself to Sanremo time. No offense to his detractors.
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Placed under the sign of nostalgia to celebrate 70 years of classics, the 2020 edition takes place from February 4 to 8 at the Ariston theater. But even before the first evening, the controversy settled in the first row. In question, the presence of Junior Cally, a Roman rapper accused of misogyny because of two songs, Strega ("Witch") released in 2017 and Si Chiama Gioia ("She is called joy") dating from 2018.
An invitation that greatly displeased Matteo Salvini. “I am ashamed of this singer who compares women (...) raped and used as objects. You sing it at home, not live on the Rai and in the name of Italian music, " said the former Minister of the Interior on Twitter.
A proposito mi vergogno di quel cantante che paragona Donne as troie, violentate, sequestrate, stuprate e usate come oggetti. Lo fai a casa tua, non in diretta sulla Rai ea nome della musica italiana.
#nonelarena @nonelarena
Matteo Salvini does not seem very fan of Sanremo, or rap. Last year, he strongly criticized the victory of Mahmood, rapper of Egyptian origin. As a symbol, the young man was then on the verge of winning the Eurovision with his title Soldi .
Djokovic sings Ramazzotti
Notwithstanding the controversy, Junior Cally presented himself well on stage with the overtly anti-Salvini title No Grazie . "I hope we understand that I hate the racist who thinks of the country but prefers the mojitos / And also the liberal of the center-left who loses and rebuilds a party" , struck the rapper, tackling Matteo Renzi, former Chairman of the Board.
● Junior Cally - No Grazie , Sanremo 2020
To spice it all up, Achille Lauro, singer with an androgynous look, reserved a little surprise during the first evening. Came to perform Me ne frego ("I don't care"), the singer arrived dressed in a long cape. But after a few seconds, the device gave way to his body, lightly dressed in a sequined body.
#MeNeFrego / @AchilleIDOL
Rivedi l'esibizione su @ RaiPlay # sanremo2020 # sanremo70 pic.twitter.com/YrKRViKKdo
The Sanremo Festival is also an opportunity to catch a glimpse of prestigious guests. This year, two great sportsmen stood out. On Wednesday, the recent Australian Open winner and new world number one Novak Djokovic stepped onto the stage of the Ariston. Alongside Amadeus and his friend Fiorello - two famous transalpine presenters - "Djoko" performed the show in perfect Italian and danced to the notes of Terra Promessa by Eros Ramazzotti.
Novak at Sanremo Fastival singing Eros Ramazzotti, there's really nothing you can't do @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/ZGtYuTVAuP
- (@ frani2312) February 5, 2020Thursday, it was the turn of Cristiano Ronaldo, star of football and Juventus of Turin, to illuminate the room. But his presence was not trivial, since his wife Georgina Rodriguez co-hosted the evening.
● Cristiano Ronaldo at Sanremo
A springboard for Eurovision
One of the main challenges of the Sanremo Festival, in addition to standing out, is the direct qualification for Eurovision. A rule established in 1956, the year of the creation of the European song contest. Twenty-four experienced artists were invited this year to revisit several of these hits that have made the history of the festival. "It's as if you were invited to a special lunch, with the best dishes and all kinds of dishes, some of which follow a grandmother's recipe , " Cristina La Bella told the Urbanpost newspaper when talking about the program.
Rivedi su @ RaiPlay # PiazzaGrande #Tosca @ Sperezcruz # sanremo2020 # sanremo70 pic.twitter.com/5QlaKb0ZZH
- Festival di Sanremo (@SanremoRai) February 6, 2020Piazza Grande by Lucio Dalla, Volare by Domenico Modugno or L'Italiano by Toto Cotugno are classics taken up this year by singer Tosca, Francesco Gabbani, winner of the 2017 edition, Mika and Rita Pavone, still full of energy at 74 years old. On Saturday evening, the votes of journalists, the orchestra and the viewers will choose the winner who will fly to Rotterdam in May.