Of humble yet powerful origins
Throughout history, songs have been conduits for emotional strength, collective memory, and political change. A simple work song in the rice fields of Northern Italy can turn into a global anthem of resistance and liberation, not only leading revolutions and rallies but also becoming a pop culture favourite.
The origins of ‘Bella Ciao’ trace back to the late 19th century, when mondine— female rice field workers in Italy’s countryside—sang it to protest inhumane working conditions. Thus, laying the emotional groundwork for it becoming a future protest anthem.
The oldest known recording of a melody resembling ‘Bella Ciao’ dates to 1919, by the Odessa-born klezmer accordionist Mishka Ziganoff. The roots of the song can be traced to French, Yiddish, and Dalmatian folk music.
The many hues of 'Bella Ciao'
During WW2, ‘Bella Ciao’ was reborn with new verses sung by Italian partisans fighting fascism and Nazi occupation. Its plaintive melody and message of sacrifice— ‘if I die as a partisan’—gave strength to those who stood for freedom in dark times.
On April 25 every year, ‘Bella Ciao’ is sung across Italy to mark the fall of Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime and the end of Nazi occupation. In the cold war era, Bella Ciao, with its vaguely defined enemy and stress on romance over ideology, became a more consensual anthem by which to remember the fight against fascism.
Pop permanence
In 2018, the iconic Spanish series ‘La Casa de Papel’ (Money Heist) catapulted ‘Bella Ciao’ to global fame. In the show, the song is sung by the beloved protagonist, the Professor and his crew as a nod to resistance and a cry against corruption.
This sparked a viral wave: covers in dozens of languages, remixes in nightclubs, and chants in real-life protests from Chile to Lebanon.
The tunes of ‘Bella Ciao’ continue to ring far beyond Italy’s borders— anti-government protests in Iran, the front lines in Ukraine, women’s rights demonstrations in Poland, and even broadcasts from mosque loudspeakers in Turkey.
An enduring tune
From Chile to Hong Kong, from the Occupy Wall Street movement to Fridays for Future rallies, ‘Bella Ciao’ has emerged as a powerful anthem symbolizing the global struggle for freedom.
The song’s persistent allure lies in its adaptability—different generations, different regions find new meaning in it. Although born on Italian soil, ‘Bella Ciao’ now belongs to the world.
*This article has been curated by Hook. All claims and opinions expressed belong to the original author. Hook does not verify or endorse the information presented and is not responsible for its accuracy.*
