Arrest of Charlie Kirk Sparks Focus on Bella Ciao, Long-Standing Protest Anthem
In the ever-evolving landscape of popular culture, few songs have resonated as deeply and universally as "Bella Ciao." Originating from Italy as an Italian folk song, this century-old protest anthem has transcended borders, ideologies, and generations, becoming a symbol of parting with oppression.
The global audience's introduction to "Bella Ciao" can be traced back to the Netflix series "La Casa de Papel," where electronic dance music producers El Profesor and Hugel remixed the tune, garnering over 200 million views on YouTube. However, the version of "Bella Ciao" that solidified in the early 1960s is intrinsically linked to the Italian resistance during World War II. Adopted by partisans fighting fascism and Nazi occupation between 1943 and 1945, the current form of the song originated from Italy, with no evidence suggesting a solidifying figure from another origin.
Fast forward to 2021, and the song was once again heard in Jerusalem, this time as "Bibi Ciao," sung by demonstrators at the prospect of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's departure. In 2024, left-leaning members of the European Parliament used "Bella Ciao" to protest Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's policies. The song also resurfaced annually on April 25 in Italy to mark the end of Benito Mussolini's fascist dictatorship and the Nazi occupation.
Over the decades, "Bella Ciao" has been adopted by leftist movements across Europe and beyond, finding its place in various struggles. It has been used by anti-fascist, feminist, climate protesters, and pop culture creators alike. The melody, traced by some historians to a 1919 recording by Odesa-born klezmer accordionist, Mishka Ziganoff, has been reworked and repurposed countless times, with dozens of versions, including indie interpretations, available on streaming platforms like Spotify.
"Bella Ciao" has also made its way into the realm of gaming culture, featuring in "Far Cry 6" and used on TikTok to score highlights from "Call of Duty: Warzone." The song has been reworked by soccer fans in support of their clubs and has been described by Utrecht University researchers as a 'portable monument' - a cultural artifact that carries memory across time and space.
In 2018 and 2020, feminist activists in Argentina and Poland repurposed "Bella Ciao" to protest against unfavorable legislation regarding women's reproductive rights. On September 16, 2022, sisters Samin and Behin Bolouri sang a Persian version of "Bella Ciao" in response to the death of Jina Mahsa Amini following her arrest by Iran's morality police.
"Bella Ciao" continues to serve as a signal not of any particular ideology, but perhaps of resistance itself. A testament to the power of music and the human spirit, this century-old protest song echoes across the globe, reminding us that hope and defiance are universal.
