SortAnd there is an artist capable of transforming the Ariston stage into an arena of emotions, satire and poetry, that is Roberto Benigni. The Tuscan Oscar winner has never been a simple guest of the Sanremo Festival: Each of his apparition marked an erabetween provocations, cult moments and monologues that have turned on the public debate. Tonight, for Sanremo 2025, Benigni returns for his sixth participationa highly anticipated return that brings with it the memory of a past made of irreverence, entertainment and culture.
Kisses and controversy: Roberto Benigni debuts in Sanremo
Benigni’s first time at the Festival was in 1980, when He joined Claudio Cecchetto and Olimpia Carlisi in the management. Sanremo, at that time, crossed a moment of crisis: the ratings were falling and the festival risked losing its prestige. It was Benigni, with his provocative charge, who overturned the situation.
Italy of the time he was displaced by his irreverent languagewho did not even spare the highest figures of the institutions. He called Pope John Paul II “Wojtilaccio” and the Prime Minister Francesco Cossiga «Cossigaccio», triggering a media fuss. But to remain carved in the collective memory It was the 30 second kiss with the co-conductor Olimpia Carlisiat the time his partner. A gesture that, in 1980, made a sensation, consolidating his role as the festival provocateur.
Sanremo 2002: comedy, satire and the listening record
After more than twenty years, Benigni returned to Ariston as Guest by Pippo Baudo And, once again, he left his mark. The his monologue on the universal judgment mixed irony, politics and culturereaching 20 million spectators and touching 70% share, an extraordinary result.
But that Sanremo was not just words: the actor made himself the protagonist of a curtain as hilarious as discussed. First he filed under Manuela Arcuri’s dress, Then he jokingly groped Baudo live. An episode that made the tour of the televisions and confirmed his ability to transform any time into show.
Roberto Benigni and the art of political provocation in Sanremo 2009
In the 2009with Paolo Bonolis to the management, Benigni He returned to the stage with a decidedly political intervention. Its Invectives against Silvio Berlusconi, Walter Veltroni and Iva Zanicchi they were directed and without filters, arousing controversy and conflicting reactions. There was no shortage of moments of social reflection, such as The appeal for the rights of homosexualsto whom he dedicated strong words: “I’m not out of God’s plan”. The public premised his presence with very high listening, confirming the media power of the Tuscan comedian.
Sanremo 2011: an entry from film for the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy
If there is an image that summarizes the link between Benigni and Sanremo, it is that of his entry in 2011: The actor arrived on stage on horsebackwaving a gigantic Italian flag. A spectacular entrance to celebrate the 150 years of the unification of Italyfollowed by a historical and passionate monologue.
That evening, the comedian left the satire aside to give the public A solemn interpretation of the Mameli’s Nonexplaining the meaning with a compelling narrative. The moment was so intense as to snatch applause also from the then President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano, who called him on the phone immediately after the show to thank him.
Sanremo 2020 and 2023: Roberto Benigni between poetry and constitution
In the most recent years, Benigni has chosen to put the irreverent comedy for the background for devote themselves to culture and poetry. In 2020, on the Ariston stage, he recited The Canticle of Canticlesaccompanied by a tribute to Oscar Wilde. A refined performance, but which did not fail to divide the public, also for the controversies related to its cachet.
In 2023, Amadeus called him again and the comedian celebrated the 75 years of the Italian Constitution with a vibrant monologue, in the presence of President Sergio Mattarella. His speech was a hymn to the beauty of the fundamental card: “The Constitution is a work of art And each word releases an evocative and revolutionary force ».
Sanremo 2025: what to expect from Benigni
After five legendary appearances, the Surprising return of Benigni to the Festival in 2025 is an event that arouses great anticipation. The public wonders which register will choose this time: will it return to the irreverent of the beginning or will it continue in the most reflective path of recent years? What is certain is that each of his intervention is a unique experience, capable of combining show and culture, lightness and depth. The Ariston is ready to welcome him once again, aware that Benigni, in one way or another, never leaves indifferent.
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