As a mother, how do you experience the wave of new feminism, unfortunately awakened by the gender violence emergency?
«I feel it very strongly and I talk about it with Elena and her peers. The other day one of them told me that there are many, too many, friends who are in a state of terror, because their boyfriends don’t let them go out alone, on a school trip they call them every five seconds and woe betide you if you don’t answer. . They are morbid relationships, of possession and oppression, which have nothing to do with love. I am on the artistic committee of Una Quale Centomila which, in addition to raising funds for anti-violence centres, raises awareness among young people. Teaching affectivity in schools would be a very important goal, it already exists in several European countries.”
In a 2009 interview she said that a female prime minister capable of committing herself to other women would be helpful for Italy. Now that we have it, what do you think?
«I don’t think the situation has improved. Politically I am on the left, but I have no prejudices and I am not biased: if Giorgia Meloni or a right-wing deputy did something positive, I would applaud. Then there are universal values that must not be exploited either by one side or the other.”
Does an artist have a duty to expose himself, to take a stand?
«An artist must be able to express himself freely. The only limit not to be crossed, and Roberto Vecchioni said it well when commenting on the young people who returned to the streets in March, is violence. I agree with his words: the possibility, ability and immediacy of being able to share one’s opinion in front of everyone must be guaranteed. And it is not only our Constitution that provides for this, which would already be enough, but a much higher morality: we are free by birth, as well as by civilization.”
Elena also takes to the streets?
«She and her classmates are very active in student involvement, for example in high school they formed the Rosa collective. I sense some healthy buzz. I hope that young people get closer to politics, become interested in what is happening in Italy and stop feeling disillusioned.”
Does it depend on the parents or not?
«I don’t know if it just depends on our inputs. An episode comes to mind. When my daughter was little, she must have been ten years old, and we discussed the topic of rainbow families, I remember her telling me: “Mum, it’s very normal for me, maybe it’s because I grew up with Modern Family (series on the rights of gay couplesndr)».