It is generally known that Italy has been home to many brilliant writers and artists. One of whom is Dario Fo: an eminent playwright, comedian, singer, theatre director, songwriter and painter, who was awarded the 1997 Nobel Prize for literature.
For him the three honorary degrees and the Nobel Prize were only symbols of a commitment that he pursued with passion since he was just a teenager. His fame being worldwide, his plays have been translated into 30 languages.
He wrote a multitude of works; one of the most famous of which being Mistero buffo ("Comical Mystery Play"), written in 1969. It is recognised as one of the most controversial plays in European theatre and was denounced by the Vatican as "the most blasphemous show in the history of television". Dario Fo was particularly popular in Italy because he used theatre to mock the power and hypocrisy of politics and religion.
Moreover, he was also interested in contemporary culture and trends. For example in 2014 he had a duet with the famous British singer Mika. They sung together Mika's song The origin of love and Ho visto un re ("I have seen a king"), a satirical song in which two farmers sing about when powerful people lose even the slightest amount of power, they can only cry and cry. Mika has always considered Fo as "a symbol of freedom, tolerance and good humour".
In his active and busy life, his greatest pillar was his wife. He had been married to the beautiful actress Franca Rame for more than 60 years: a lifetime love.
He has been described as a man who never stopped smiling and always looked at the world as if it was his first time seeing it. After a long and brilliant career, he passed away on the 13th October. But his genius will not be forgotten.
Alessandra Tosi
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cultura e societÃ