The Tuscan director and comedian therefore "used rhetoric and irony to ensure the public's approval and used his credibility to move people in the sense of bringing them together in something that united them." Also Italy's President Napolitano phoned Roberto Benigni commending him for his performance at Sanremo. With passion and professionalism he explained, on Sanremo's stage, the lyrics and the profound meaning of the national anthem. In a RAI press conference it was reported that other national dignitaries sent congratulations to the Tuscany-born artist, who managed to keep the audience's attention for more than half an hour. He closed his performance singing, unaccopanied, a version of the anthem of all Italians, which was considered very touching. [ LESS ]

Three ministers opposed the establishment of the new public holiday, among the the LNP party's Roberto Calderoli, according to whom "given the country's current economic predicament, and the fact that our public debt is the largest in Europe and third-largest worldwide, it is pure folly." [ LESS ]