Milan, August 23 (LaPresse) — "I grew up inside it and I remember everything very well since 1975, the first location was in via Leoncavallo, in Casoretto, which was my neighborhood. There was music, theater, demonstrations… I was born in '57, so I’m the same age as Fausto and Iaio. They were killed by fascists not far from there, and the next day we all went down to the square. It’s a scandal that the names of those responsible are still missing after so many years."
This is what comedian and TV host Claudio Bisio said in an interview with la Repubblica about the eviction of Leoncavallo, which he called "a show of force, with all those police officers outside and nobody inside. It’s both laughable and heartbreaking."
"I really hope the Municipality of Milan is working to prevent Leoncavallo from dying. Maybe somewhere else, but it must not end," he added. "This experience has lasted 50 years, and I say this as someone who was born inside it. Culture is an investment; there are other experiences in Italy that show administrations’ commitment in this regard. Everything must be done legally, with proper permits (not like the beaches, though)."
Apart from the profession, what else did he learn at Leoncavallo?
"That creativity and art don’t always come from above, and that works don’t only come from royal palaces. Because the paths of art are infinite, and if there are decent people doing beautiful things spontaneously, why clip their wings? Leoncavallo has always been a factory, hosting artists, organizing events, producing beautiful things. We made culture, and if there were hints of violence, it always happened during evictions. Minister Giuli should go and see what that place is. If it’s just dirty walls or if there’s art — and I’m just talking about the murals in the underground," Bisio stressed.