Mandolino players and aficionados gathered from all over Italy in Naples’s Piazza Bellini on Thursday for a “Mandolino Flash Mob.”
The reason for manifesting was to push for legislation to introduce the teaching of mandolin in middle school. Adding mandolin to the list of musical instruments taught in schools with a music concentration wouldn’t cost anything, while adding new work opportunities, supporters say. The original request was presented by PD (Italy’s Democratic Party) senator Massimo Cuomo.
As one demonstrator said, "The mandolin shouldn't just be in pizzerias, but in schools too:"
Some public figures, including showman Renzo Arbore, jazz pianist Stefano Bollani and journalist Michele Serra, have expressed their support for the initiative, called “Io sto con il mandolino” (I stand with mandolin).
Watch the video of the mandolin flash mob playing Verdi’s “Va’ pensiero”.
