BELLA CIAO, THE HYDRANT, RESISTANCE

The Hydrant frequently covers "Bella Ciao", but I had no idea it was a protest song about resistance and antifascism.
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I just started watching La casa de papel (Money Heist), and during one scene, the two main actors began humming the song “Bella Ciao”. It really caught my attention. The Hydrant usually covers this song (Marshello‘s fave!), but I didn’t realise it was a protest song about resistance and anti-fascism. On YouTube, I found numerous versions/genres of the tune, such as ska, tabla, punk metal, and house. I then merged all of these styles into one song.

“Bella Ciao” is an Italian folk song symbolising resistance and defiance. Initially sung by rice paddy workers in the late 19th century, it reflected the harsh conditions and long hours they endured, especially women. The lyrics expressed a longing for freedom and dignity, which would later resonate with broader movements.

During World War II, the song was adopted by Italian partisans fighting the Nazi occupation and fascism. Its message of sacrifice and resistance became a rallying cry for anti-fascist fighters, cementing its place as a symbol of hope and courage in the face of oppression.

As “Bella Ciao” spread beyond Italy, it became a global symbol of resistance. Its themes of freedom and solidarity made it adaptable to protests worldwide, from European anti-fascist movements to Latin American revolutions, embodying the fight against dictatorship and injustice.

The song has been sung at numerous rallies, from Italian labor strikes to recent global protests like the Arab Spring and anti-austerity movements. Its popularity surged again with the TV series La casa de papel, reinforcing its status as a symbol of rebellion.

Una mattina mi sono alzato…

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Picture of Rudolf Dethu

Rudolf Dethu

Music journalist, writer, radio DJ, socio-political activist, creative industry leader, and a qualified librarian, Rudolf Dethu is heavily under the influence of the punk rock philosophy. Often tagged as this country’s version of Malcolm McLaren—or as Rolling Stone Indonesia put it ‘the grand master of music propaganda’—a name based on his successes when managing Bali’s two favourite bands, Superman Is Dead and Navicula, both who have become two of the nation’s biggest rock bands.
Picture of Rudolf Dethu

Rudolf Dethu

Music journalist, writer, radio DJ, socio-political activist, creative industry leader, and a qualified librarian, Rudolf Dethu is heavily under the influence of the punk rock philosophy. Often tagged as this country’s version of Malcolm McLaren—or as Rolling Stone Indonesia put it ‘the grand master of music propaganda’—a name based on his successes when managing Bali’s two favourite bands, Superman Is Dead and Navicula, both who have become two of the nation’s biggest rock bands.

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