Sicilian singer Delia substituted a key word in the resistance anthem during the Concertone, sparking social media backlash and debate.
6:34 PM
Sicilian singer Delia performed "Bella Ciao" at the Concertone del Primo Maggio in Rome's Piazza San Giovanni on Thursday, but modified a central word in the historic resistance anthem, triggering widespread criticism on social media.
During her performance, Delia replaced the word "partigiano" (partisan) with "essere umano" (human being). The lyric became "E questo è il cuore di un essere umano" instead of the traditional reference to a partisan. She also changed "canto" (song) to "cuore" (heart) in the same passage.
The 27-year-old Catania-born artist, a finalist on X Factor 2025, incorporated a mashup blending the traditional song with Sicilian folk music into her interpretation. The Concertone, organized by the unions CGIL, CISL, and UIL, was themed around "dignified work" this year.
Social media users quickly voiced objections to the textual modification. One commenter wrote: "I don't think this was Delia's choice; I'd like to know who wanted that obscene modification." Another stated: "A Bella Ciao where the word 'partisan' is replaced by 'human being' is something that makes your ears bleed, unacceptable Delia, unacceptable." Some accused her of ruining the song symbolizing antifascism, while others claimed she had distorted it with a mashup compared to music from the film Squid Game.
Delia responded to the backlash, explaining her reasoning for the change. "Making this change is not failing to take a position, but rather broadening the scope a bit. It was my choice," she said. She continued: "Given everything that is happening these days, unfortunately the war, the word 'human being' makes it clear that it is not something that concerns only one group."
According to reporting, the modification shifted the song's connotation from strictly political to social, aligning it with the Concertone's themes of dignified and fairly compensated work. Delia stated that she sought to emphasize a universal rather than political meaning in the song she was performing.
Delia studied classical piano at the Conservatory in Catania from age ten and later earned a diploma in the instrument. She has blended contemporary music with Sicilian folk and dialect songs in her artistic work, participating in contests and competitions with self-written and rearranged pieces before gaining prominence through X Factor 2025.
The Concertone opened with Arisa performing a tribute to Lucio Dalla on the song "Futura." The broadcast began on Rai3 following a preview starting at 1 p.m. Hosts Arisa, BigMama, and actor Pierpaolo Spollon addressed the crowd, with Arisa noting that dignified work means "safe, stable, and well-paid employment." Other performers at the event included Ermal Meta, Fulminacci, Litfiba, Irama, Pinguini Tattici Nucleari, Riccardo Cocciante, Serena Brancale, Levante, and Madame. Palestinian flags were visible among the crowd in the piazza.
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