 "Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban gestures as he gives a speech at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, October 9, 2024. File Image/Reuters")
The iconic Italian song “Bella Ciao,” historically known as an anti-fascist anthem, has emerged as a protest song against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. As a leader who has been widely criticised for his nationalist policies and “illiberal democracy,” Orbán has faced numerous confrontations with the European Union.
Recently, members of the European Parliament used “Bella Ciao” to make a statement against his administration. But how did this 20th-century resistance song become a global protest anthem, and why is it being used against Orbán today?
What happened in the European Parliament?
During a European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday, following a speech by Viktor Orbán on Hungary’s 2024 EU presidency priorities, left-wing Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) initiated a rendition of “Bella Ciao.”
The song lasted about 20 seconds before Roberta Metsola, the European Parliament President, halted the performance, stating, “This is not the Eurovision.”
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Metsola, trying to maintain decorum, added that participants should “respect the dignity of this House” as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was scheduled to speak next.
The choice to sing “Bella Ciao” was not arbitrary. The song, which originated during Italy’s anti-fascist resistance against Nazi occupation in World War II, has become a universal symbol of the fight for freedom and resistance against oppressive regimes.
Hungary’s Orbán has been accused of undermining democratic values, particularly regarding the rule of law, minority rights, and immigration. In addition, his criticism of the EU’s support for Ukraine and his warm relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin have intensified tensions with the European Union.
What is “Bella Ciao” about?
“Bella Ciao” has transcended its Italian roots, becoming a global protest anthem used in movements across the world.
Originating from Italian partisans during World War II, the song tells the story of a fighter who bids farewell to his beloved before going off to fight an unspecified invader, likely never to return. Its most poignant lines include: “If I die as a partisan, you must bury me… under the shadow of a beautiful flower… This is the flower of the partisan who died for freedom.”
Over time, “Bella Ciao” has been used in various contexts of resistance, far beyond its anti-fascist origins. For example, it is sung annually on Italy’s Liberation Day to commemorate the fall of Benito Mussolini’s regime.
Recently, it has been adopted by movements ranging from women’s rights protests in Poland, environmental campaigns, and anti-government demonstrations in Iran, Turkey, and Hong Kong.
The song’s growing popularity is partly due to its prominent use in the Spanish Netflix series La Casa de Papel (Money Heist), which further catapulted it to global recognition.
Hungarian left-wing MEPs’ decision to use “Bella Ciao” to protest Orbán during his European Parliament appearance is rooted in the song’s long history of symbolising the fight against authoritarianism.
As Orbán’s policies continue to diverge from EU norms, particularly on the rule of law and human rights, the anthem has found renewed relevance in the fight for democratic values in Hungary.
Where are the origins of “Bella Ciao”?
While “Bella Ciao” is best known as a partisan anthem, its origins are debated. The earliest known recording of a similar melody dates back to 1919 by the klezmer musician Mishka Ziganoff.
However, this version did not include the famous lyrics. Some scholars argue that “Bella Ciao” may have originated in the rice fields of Italy’s Po Valley, where female labourers, known as “mondine,” sang protest songs about harsh working conditions.
The “mondina” version of “Bella Ciao” is not about partisan resistance but rather a lament about the hardships faced by women labourers.
This conflicting history has not diminished the song’s emotional power. Over the decades, “Bella Ciao” evolved into a broader symbol of resistance, even though there is little evidence to suggest that it was widely sung by Italian partisans during World War II.
Nevertheless, it has come to represent the collective memory of those who fought for freedom against fascism.
In the Cold War era, “Bella Ciao” became the more acceptable, less ideologically charged anthem, cementing its place in Italy’s — and later the world’s — musical and political history.
How did “Bella Ciao” become a modern-day anthem?
The revival of “Bella Ciao” in Hungary’s political landscape mirrors its rise as a global protest anthem in recent decades. From Occupy Wall Street to Fridays for Future, activists around the world have adopted the song to symbolise their fight for social justice.
The universality of its message — a struggle for freedom against oppressive powers — has made it a fitting anthem for protestors across cultural and political divides.
Orbán’s critics see parallels between his governance and the authoritarian regimes that “Bella Ciao” was originally sung against. His stance on issues such as immigration, minority rights, and his criticism of EU institutions have earned him the reputation of being the EU’s most prominent illiberal leader.
His perceived closeness to figures like Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and his public admiration of former US President Donald Trump have only deepened this image.
With inputs from agencies