I came across this song from Netflix series “La Casa De Papel” aka “Money Heist”. Before that I heard the Indian version of this song from an Indian songwriter and singer. This was during the Anti-CAA movements that was there in India before this Corona-virus pandemic.
I was curious about this song because of its popularity and because of its historic importance, so started searching the meaning and the history behind it. Here is what I found, In the show itself the character named “Professor” gives a big hint about the song, where it came from. He teaches this song to his colleagues and told everyone that this was taught to him by his grandfather, who fought against the Nazis in Italy in 1940’s to 1950. So any guesses about the origin?
Well, Bella ciao is an Italian protest folk song which was originated in the hardship of mondina women, the paddy field workers in the 19th century. They sang it to protest against harsh working conditions in the paddy fields of North Italy. The song was also modified and adopted as an anthem of the anti-fascist resistance by the Italian *partisans between 1943 and 1945. The resistance of Italian partisans against the Nazi German forces occupying Italy, during the Italian Civil War.
Bella Ciao is sung worldwide as an anti-fascist hymn of freedom and a symbol of resistance. The song also evolved with time in lyrics. Over time it became a anthem for several football clubs in Europe.
Because of its roots of rebellions and Defiance, it shows up in different protest movement happened across Europe, Asia. Like in Greece – after the left wing Syriza party took power in 2015, in the Catalan Independence protests held in Barcelona and Yellow Vest movement in France these are some of the examples.
In India the song was used in the Anti-CAA protest in India, against the new controversial law passed by the Indian Government. The Indian version of this song is used by protesters across the country as a sign of resistance against the Right wing Party who is leading the Government. The Hindi version of this song “Wapas Jao” is just awesome.
Recently during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown in Italy, we have seen many people singing this historical song as a sign of solidarity.
There are two versions of the song according to the Wikipedia. The Mondine version and the Partisan. The mondine version describing the the harsh conditions in which the mondiena women had to work with too much of poverty and with no freedom. The second one is about the Partisans.
The Italian partisans were telling their loved ones goodbye as they went to battle with the Germans and since then, it has lived on as a symbol of freedom.
Many videos of the song are available on Youtube and different platforms by different musicians. Here is one of them.
This is song too much addictive, don’t know the reason, because of his rhythm, because of the history or because of the lyrics, it just makes you want to yell it loud in public. A song that was born from a poverty in Italy is now inspiring every new generation across the world and ask them to rise and fight for their rights.
Reference links :
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bella_ciao
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalan_independence_movement
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_vests_movement
My Favorite Videos of Bella Ciao:
World for Thoughts 
Wow, didn’t know there was so much history behind one song. Well written. Research 💯
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Yes, Thank you so much!
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Well researched!!
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