by Christos Zabounis

I watch my Italian dinner companion peeking at the live broadcast of the 75th San Remo Music Festival on her mobile phone. It is Friday night, Valentine’s Day, and the halls of the famous Tuscan restaurant “Frattoria” are full of young couples gazing into each other’s eyes. We even see some of them holding each other’s hands. Our host, like his wife – the lady of the mobile phone – do not celebrate Valentine’s Day, hence the invitation to a dinner – almost a tragedy. What Matteo did not take into account is Christina’s interest – these are their names – in Music. She is not alone. Eleven million of her compatriots turned on their televisions and sixty-three million viewers were counted online, on Thursday alone. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, I suggested that we quickly finish the bistecca Fiorentina, drink a grappa real quick and run to the nearest television set. Entering the hotel room and connecting to the RAI1 frequency, I am lucky enough to “fall” into Roberto Begnini. Yes, the actor who won an Oscar for his performance in “La vita e’ bella” – “Life is beautiful”. Georgia Meloni, Donald Trump, Greenland, Elon Musk, the planet Mars, the march to Rome (ed.: The fascists), President Mattarella, the leftists who became rightists, all have their place in his twelve-minute monologue. The audience at the “Ariston” theater applauds, while social media is divided over his political satire. It’s about 1 am when I close my eyes, having listened to wonderful duets and covers, that is, modern arrangements of older hits. Viva la musica!