On February 21 it exploded a situation that seemed distant to us. Up to that point it had affected China and some other Asian countries. Now it is here. The distance has suddenly reduced, as opposed to a time that appears to be dilated. What do Italians do? How do they react? What do they "invent"?

Responsibility time

How often do we complain that we are in a hurry? That we would like to be able to do more things than the fast pace of everyday life allows us. "I have no time!" it is often said. Perhaps not being satisfied is inherent in human nature. Now that we have time, and a lot, we are unable to manage it. Suddenly it became too much. And so we get capricious. Of course, this "domestic confinement" is not a vacation. We cannot go around, or see friends or relatives. Perhaps what bothers us so much is the lack of freedom. Not being able to do what you want, where and when you go. So many experience "frostbite" symptoms. We feel hibernating, as if suspended in a strange dimension with surreal characters.

Anniversary of the Unification of Italy, March 17, 2020

But it is good to wake up, to realize that what is asked of us is not some kind of effort. There is no time to be unreasonable. Let's think about the many for a moment health workers, doctors and nurses who are really sacrificing everything to save even those who, with extreme frivolity, did not understand that one must stay at home. Let's also reflect on another aspect: many of us are lucky enough not to have contracted the virus. Let's focus for a moment on the condition that the sick are experiencing, on intensive care, about the state of anguish of their loved ones who cannot even see them. Do we really still want to complain? WE ONLY HAVE TO STAY A HOME. Spend time in a safe and familiar place. Let us feel privileged, let us make our contribution responsibly.

Italians: people of creatives

They circulate on these different days video in which the songs that best represent our beautiful country are sung from the balconies. They are hymns of courage, real injections of optimism. And in this the Italians are masters! They re-sheathed theirs creativity along with that sense of national cohesion which has erased all parochialism. Never before have we felt united, proud to live in this country. A patriotism also exhibited through the flags fluttering in the windows.

Italians. Colors depiction of the Italian flag with tomatoes, spaghetti and basil

And then, drawings of rainbows to instill hope, to tell us that "everything will be fine". We are Italian, we have passion and imagination. We don't need big stages, we just need a balcony. And so, along with violins and guitars, also appears that couple close in an embrace dancing on the terrace. They are images charged with feeling. But we Italians also have more. The comic side, the one that helps us to overcome difficult moments. With our irony we ease the tension because smiling is vital! And then, all that we are also emerges from our homes from which we spread strength and healthy energy.

# Italian in the heart

Italians and patriotism at the time of the Coronavirus last edit: 2020-03-20T14:00:00+01:00 da Sabrina Cernuschi

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