A poster for the upcoming French elections caught my eye, a clever twist on the iconic resistance anthem ‘Bella Ciao.’ It read: “Bardella Ciao, Ciao, Ciao,” with the ‘ard’ in ‘Bardella’ crossed out, creating “Bella Ciao, Ciao, Ciao.” This poster subtly pointed to the election’s key player, Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old leader of the far-right National Rally (RN). He was handpicked by Marine Le Pen, a move seen by many as an attempt to distance the RN from its xenophobic and antisemitic past.
The poster reminded me of the powerful history and versatility of ‘Bella Ciao.’ While the song’s catchy tune might seem familiar from its appearance in Netflix’s ‘La Casa de Papel,’ its roots run much deeper. Originally an Italian protest folk song from the 19th century, ‘Bella Ciao’ lamented the harsh working conditions of rice paddy workers. However, in the 1940s, its lyrics were adapted to tell the story of a young man joining the Italian partisans fighting against Nazi Germany and Fascist forces. This transformed ‘Bella Ciao’ into a powerful anthem of resistance.
Since then, ‘Bella Ciao’ has transcended borders and languages, becoming a global symbol of resistance against oppression and injustice. It was adopted as the anthem for the 2015 Greek protests, the Catalan independence movement, the French Yellow Vest movement, and the feminist fight against the patriarchy and for abortion rights. In Argentina, activists chanted ‘Bella Ciao’ during the fight for abortion legalization. In Poland, it became a rallying cry against the ban on abortion rights. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was used as a song of solidarity in Italy and Germany. Most recently, ‘Bella Ciao’ has emerged as a de facto resistance anthem in Ukraine and has been used in Iran to protest against the Islamic Republic’s crackdown.
The enduring power of ‘Bella Ciao’ lies in its ability to resonate with people across cultures and time periods. It speaks to the universal desire for freedom, justice, and solidarity. As I head to the polls in France this month, I’ll be singing ‘Bella Ciao,’ not just as a symbol of resistance against the far-right but as a reminder that the fight for a better world is a global one. The song’s timeless message of hope and defiance will continue to inspire generations to come, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the power of music to unite us in our struggle against oppression.
