She plays the piano every day, dances, paints and faces life with the enthusiasm of a girl. Gianna Capaldi Pratesi is 105 years old – she will turn 106 on March 16th – and she is the surprise guest that Carlo Conti has chosen to open the 76th edition of the Sanremo Festival. According to those who are well informed, Mrs. Pratesi will perform to the tune of 24 thousand kisses by Adriano Celentano.
Born in 1920 in Chiavari, at the age of 28 Gianna left for Scotland together with her sister. It was there that she met her future husband, with whom she opened an ice cream shop which continued for twenty years. Then the return to Liguria, to his hometown.
His presence at the Ariston is not accidental: 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic, proclaimed on 2 June 1946 following the referendum with which Italians chose between monarchy and democracy. That consultation was also the first in which women were able to vote, after the Bonomi government had recognized this right for them on 1 February 1945. Gianna Pratesi was among those women.
“His presence must make our young people reflect,” declared Carlo Conti at the press conference. “Mrs Pratesi represents our parents, our grandparents, the partisans who liberated Italy from Nazi-fascist oppression and who allowed us to experience moments like this.”
The lady will reach the Ariston Theater accompanied by her children, who will pick her up in a van. On stage, in addition to singing, she will be interviewed by the host on the 1946 referendum: a direct and precious testimony, in a year in which that historical date celebrates its eightieth anniversary.
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