VARESE (Italy), August 30, 2025 – by GIANNI BERALDO
“Free Palestine,” a highly symbolic phrase, has been echoing loudly since early this afternoon at the Giardini Estensi in Varese. A charity event titled “VA LIVE PAL – Music to not die” is currently underway, organized by the Varese Committee for Palestine, in collaboration with the Sharazade association, Rete Varese Senza Frontiere, and Film Studio 90.
The event will continue until 11:30 PM, with various bands taking the stage at the former tensile structure. The program also includes poetry readings and speeches by Palestinian representatives. Among the anticipated speakers are activist Mohamed Mohsen, Varese poets, Angelo Rusconi of Doctors Without Borders, Federico Lastaria of Gazzella Onlus, Mariano Gallo (Priscilla Drag), and Giuseppe Salamone of the Schierarsi Association.
The day’s opening was handled by Mayor Davide Galimberti, who spoke around 5:00 PM before heading to a public meeting with the national secretary of the Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, who was a guest at the closing night of the Festival of Unity in Schiranna (starting at 6:00 PM).
Galimberti spoke about the dramatic situation in Gaza and urged the organizers to never give up and to keep the level of attention high. A large crowd filled the event spaces (many wearing t-shirts with pro-Palestine slogans), including the numerous stands and exhibitions of works by Palestinian artists.
However, we have something to say about the former tensile structure. It has been reduced to its bare minimum with very little space available. We judge this to be the result of incomprehensible and unjustifiable choices, especially since Varese offers no other alternative in this regard.
Today, this critical issue has been highlighted in its entirety, with many people crowded into a small space. All of this comes at the expense of the organizational efforts put in place by the various associations, who perhaps deserved more respect.
That said, let’s continue to discuss this important initiative. We must also acknowledge the excellent service provided by the Medici di Frontiera (Doctors of the Frontier) association, with a First Aid station staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses.
In short, the genocide that is happening, especially in Gaza, for which no solution seems to be found to stop the invasion by the Israeli army, will remain one of the most aberrant pages of contemporary history. For this and much more, Varese wants to make its voice heard, in addition to raising funds for the tormented Palestinian population, from whom everything has been taken away—even the hope for a better future.
