It’s Christmas Day, it’s 11pm in Italy, on RAI 1, as promised, the special registered by IL VOLO in military camps in Lebanon begins, based on an idea by Michele Torpedine.
I try to translate for you by summarizing in degrees.
The video is interspersed with actions taken at the base, songs performed by the guys in the military canteen and songs performed on stage during the concert.
Between one connection and another there are also personal greetings from the military to their families at home.
The video speaks for itself, simply magnificent. The clickable link is below.
Il Volo 🎅🏻 Voci di Natale 🎄 Lebanon
Begin with the speech of the defense minister Elisabetta Trenta.
“Hi guys (she turns to the military) , tonight, I had to be with you, but I can not, because I’m here in Afghanistan with your colleagues, here behind me, and they greet you with me.
I take this opportunity to give you many Christmas greetings, to wish your families best wishes, to bring you my greetings, greetings from the government and the whole country.
Thank you for what you do, thanks to your families who, perhaps, will look at us right now, thanks to everyone and, very soon.
Hi everyone!”
The guys are picked up at the airport as they leave for Lebanon. (in the background you can hear My Way)
and on their arrival received by the military.
On the bus to the base, Captain Gianluca Rosa explains that they are approaching the base near Shama, about 10 km from the Israeli border.
At the Millevoi base, they are welcomed with these nice words:
“I welcome you on behalf of everyone, it is an immense joy to have you here, when a piece of Italy comes here, makes us less distant from home, not just for me, but for everyone”
G = It will be an adventure that we will certainly tell, first of all to our families, but then also to our children and grandchildren.
To Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio are assigned a room like those of real soldiers.
The following morning they witness the raising of the flag and the singing of the Italian anthem. (very moving)
Welcome is given with applause to Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca de IL VOLO.
P = Beautiful
Military = For us it is the most significant moment of the day.
I = I have to say that behind me I heard people in tune.
P = Behind me, a little less !!
From the theater of Tiro, White Christmas.
The guys go to visit the souk, the typical Arab market.
The mission of the blue helmets is explained to the guys.
The blue helmets must be impartial towards the people, they must understand and deepen the knowledge of the people of those places in order to have their trust.
From the canteen of the military: Santa Claus is coming to town.
Ignazio = I was born in Bologna from a Sicilian family, I always lived Christmas as a return to Sicily to my grandparents and uncles, then, the true spirit of Christmas, I’ve been feeling it now in recent years, since we started traveling, is the only time of year, Christmas, more beautiful, because we can return home to families, I personally to my sister, that I, I hardly ever see.
Piero Ignazio and Gianluca then visit the archaeological site of Al Bas di Tiro, of Roman and Byzantine culture.
Gianluca = At Christmas I always sang in church, I sang the Ave Maria and Panis Angelicus. My grandfather very happy in the front row, even the parish priest of the village, because I live in Montepagano, a small town near the sea, in Roseto degli Abruzzi, so we all know each other and as a child they knew me as the singer of the country, we are a big family in my little country.
This is nice, because everyone loves me and I love everyone, as when I go out in the morning to have coffee at the bar, even Christmas is wonderful because everyone gathered in the square and we celebrate Christmas together as a big family.
From the theater of Tiro, Silent Night.
The boys are made to wear a blue helmet, symbol of military in peace action UN.
Piero and Gianluca enter a tank.
Ignazio explains the function of the automatic defensive turret.
I = It is a beautiful responsibility and a great tension every time you use a vehicle of this type, of course it is your job, but behind it there is a series of sacrifices and study.
From the canteen of the military: Christmas Medley.
Ignazio asks the commander what UNIFIL means.
The general of division Stefano Del Col explains that UNIFIL is very important because for 12 years it is the guarantor of peace in the area, controls and recalls those who border and guarantees that the borders are controlled.
It includes 43 nations, 10,500 peacekeepers and 1,000 civilians.
The blue bins delimit the dividing line and are spread over 120 km and guarantee a strip of peace.
Ignazio says that they are honored to have been part of the story in the few days they stayed in Lebanon.
Piero thanks the general for dedicating part of his time to them.
The general thanks IL VOLO for bringing a piece of Italy in this Middle Eastern context. Together they wish Merry Christmas.
From the theater of Tiro and from the canteen of the military : Grande Amore.
The guys visit the helicopter hangar and get on one of them. (in the background you can hear IL Mondo)
There are always two helicopters ready for any mission.
P = Today, as soon as you breathe Christmas air, you breathe the air of home, because fortunately for the work we do, we turn a lot, we are hardly ever at home, but Christmas is a must return, also because our families have separated, some cousins have left for abroad. Unfortunately in Sicily there are not so many job opportunities and some have been forced to leave home. So Christmas is a moment of recollection for everyone, I can only think of a “moment of joy”.
From the canteen of the military : Smile.
From the theater of Tiro : Adeste Fideles.
Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, sing, in the canteen of the military, along with the children who were orphaned, and who now live in the military base.
I = Today we sang with the children, a Christmas song. Even more beautiful, it was hear them sing in Italian.
P = This morning, singing along with those “magic” children, was a set of indescribable chills.
G= Today we had the great privilege to sing along with some children who unfortunately were orphaned because of the war. That gave us an even stronger emotion and it was really moving.
From the theater of Tiro : O Holy Night.
A moment of leisure, a game of football in the military base.
And Jingle Bells played with Arabian atmosphere.
From the canteen of the military : ’O Surdato Nnammurato.
From the theater of Tiro : Volare (Nel Blu dipinto di blu).
P = For us it was a very special Christmas, we hope to have given you a smile.
I = Special because … starting from playing soccer with the children, doing crazy experiences inside a tank, by helicopter, letting us explain the life of these soldiers. Everything was exciting.
G = Also because these experiences make you a better person, enrich the soul, and we can say that, despite our different characters, this experience has united us three even more.
I = Being here, has made us more proud of being Italian.
P = Now is the time of the good wishes, from Il Volo …
PIG = Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Torpedine = The next event will be in Panama, at the end of January, on the World Youth Day, the meeting with the Pope. We hope to travel with him and sing the Ave Maria during the Pope’s Mass.
Here are the guys with the RAI troupe who followed them in Lebanon.
Still some beautiful shots.
This program has thrilled me so much, I was very proud of my “Italian being”.
These guys are really UNIQUE, immense treasures, sensitive, educated, humble and good.
The idea of the program was Torpedine’s and I must say, honor of merit, he always has some brilliant ideas.
The topics were treated in a delicate way and the songs were followed with such sweetness and involvement.
The latest news given by Torpedine, the presence of the boys at World Youth Day, where they will sing before the Pope was another twist, another step that makes me even more proud of them.
2019 will be a very intense year indeed.
But no fear will come on tour in America, wait and see!
Of course, despite VOCI DI NATALE was broadcast on RAI 1 at 11.00 pm, you must know that it has made the record of ratings !!!! News that makes us even happier.
Daniela
We thank Il Volo Sicilia for the photos and
Il Volo Mundial (Oficial) for the Facebook video.