In the middle of a nationwide lockdown in Italy — and growing concerns over the coronavirus around the world — there’s not much to be cheerful about. The Italy lockdown has effectively restricted the movement of the country’s 62 million inhabitants, confining most of them to their homes, and has shut down all shops except for supermarkets and pharmacies. Residents on one street in Siena, however, decided to break up the monotony of the lockdown with song. A video of people singing out their windows is offering a small dose of cheerfulness during these uncertain times.
Photo: ansharphoto/Shutterstock
Italians in Lockdown in Siena Come Together in Song
A Siena, città alla quale sono molto legato, si sta in casa ma si canta insieme come se si fosse per la strada. Mi sono commosso pic.twitter.com/IDPqNEj3h3
— David Allegranti (@davidallegranti) March 12, 2020
According to the Twitter user who posted the video, “In Siena […] you stay at home but you sing together as if you were on the street. I was moved.”
The song is called “Canto della Verbena,” a popular folk song in the city usually sung to celebrate local pride.
“It’s a reminder,” said one social media user in response to the video, “that, especially during a tragedy, the human spirit keeps us all going in hope. We shine our best in the darkness. Thank you, Siena. You made my day.” 