Italy quietly implemented a minor revision to its national anthem, "Il Canto degli Italiani," by removing the word "si" from the official rendition. The change, effective January 1, 2026, alters a short declarative affirmation that had been added to the end of the line "We are ready to die."
The addition of "si," meaning "yes," had evolved organically over time through performances of the anthem. The government's decision to formally remove it aims to return the anthem to its original form, as penned by Goffredo Mameli in 1847. Mameli, a young patriot, wrote the hymn during a period when Italy was fragmented into separate states, with the intention of galvanizing Italians to unify.
Michel Martin, a host on NPR, noted that Mameli's hymn called on Italians to unify, proclaiming, "we are ready to die." The added "si" was never officially part of the lyrics but became a common addition in performances.
The anthem, also known as "Inno di Mameli" or "Fratelli d'Italia" (Brothers of Italy), served as a rallying cry for Italian unification. The decision to modify the anthem reflects an effort to preserve the historical integrity of Mameli's original composition. The government has not yet released an official statement explaining the specific rationale behind the change.
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