This is, without a doubt, one of the key events on the cultural and social agenda of my beloved Italy. “Prima” in La Scala in MilanThe most important opera house in the world, it is more than just the premiere of the Opera’s lyrical season, it is a gathering of Italian high society and a showcase of the transalpine bourgeoisie.

This year the artistic quality of the show took a backseat. Grotesque police identification of some of the people who screamed last night “Long live anti-fascist Italy!” This sparked a heated debate in Italy and gave a very worrying picture of the sad shift that my country is experiencing in some aspects.

Milan police headquarters confirmed that two people from the boxes have been identified. Due to the torrent of criticism in the statement, they were quick to clarify that these identifications were “in no way determined by the content of the phrase spoken.” This was carried out as a routine preventive measure to ensure the safety of the mission. Also in view of some protest demonstrations that took place on the same day.”

Explanations that weren’t particularly convincing.

As I already mentioned, the events took place last night at Prima, the season opener at La Scala, which annually on December 7th, the feast of the patron saint of Milan, Sant’Ambogio (St. Ambrose), brings together the Cream of Milan and Italy. The country’s main politicians, as well as businessmen, artists, Italian and foreign celebrities met in the capital of Lombardy.

Unlike what often happens in Spain, the national anthem has never divided us, on the contrary, it is a moment of unity that transcends the differences of the moment and the ideology of each.

For the first time this year, the Prima with Giuseppe Verdi’s Don Carlos was conducted by the Spaniard Luis Paqual, which was an honor and one of the greatest milestones among the great orchestra conductors of the world.

Every year this event begins with the orchestra performing the Italian anthem – the Mameli anthem. A moment in which all Italians live with special attention and, unlike what often happens in Spain, the national anthem has never divided us, on the contrary, it is a moment of unity that goes beyond the divisions of the moment and the ideology of each of them. However, something unexpected happened last night: someone from the box shouted “Viva l’Italia antifascista”, to which someone later responded “Viva la Resistenza”. The resistance was a liberation movement from Nazism during World War II.

It should be noted that This year the very important President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, was absent from the Royal Box.. A significant absence that forced the organization to change the minutes of the evening, placing in the front row Senator Liliana Segre, a 93-year-old Auschwitz survivor, without a doubt one of the most prominent figures of recent years for her constant statements in favor of democracy, freedom and fierce criticism of terrorism. A woman loved by everyone and loved by the media and politicians of all stripes. On his side, the organizers put Senate President Ignazio La Russa from the Fratelli d’Italia party, part of the government coalition led by Giorgia Meloni, and League Vice President Matteo Salvini. Both the League and Fratelli d’Italia are far-right parties, and their leaders are often rather lukewarm in their criticism of fascism.

Marco Vizzardelli, 65, one of the evening’s spectators identified by police, admitted that he was the proud author of the slogan “Viva l’Italia antifascista” and said that the Italian Constitution itself was clearly anti-fascist. Vizzarelli is a passionate opera journalist and a regular at La Scala since the age of nine. In an interview, he said: “It was an instinctive gesture, nothing prepared. Although, as a regular viewer of La Scala, I must admit that my discomfort has been growing for several days. Especially if you remember the national anthem played by the President of the Senate, who has a bust of Mussolini in his house.”

Do we really need to identify someone who shouts that Italy is anti-fascist? Anti-fascism is the very essence of the Italian republic, and identifying those who shout about it anywhere is a shameful and undemocratic act.

As an Italian, regardless of my political ideology, I find this citizen’s name shameful. A regrettable gesture that shows, if any confirmation was needed, that the atmosphere in Italy is very heavy, almost impossible to breathe. Do we really need to identify someone who shouts that Italy is anti-fascist? Anti-fascism is the very essence of the Italian Republic, and determining who and where to shout about it is a shameful and anti-democratic act, an act that calls into question the very essence of democracy.

Certainly These events were heavily criticized center and left parties and initiated an important debate in Italian society. These gestures by the forces of order are frightening and cowardly., they expose citizens to the unfortunate mirror of a lack of freedom of expression. It’s good that the whole of Italy saw this. “Prima” was broadcast by RAI in prime time, and almost one and a half million Italians were able to watch the show.

From today, many Italians are Marco Vizzardelli. We cannot be intimidated by recognizing who we are: deep anti-fascists..