She’s the much-loved daughter of Bologna who sadly passed away earlier this month. But Raffaella Carrà’s memory will live on at Eurovision 2022 should the city prove successful in its efforts to host the contest. That’s according to Andrea Camporesi of Free Event, one of the bodies tasked with working on the Italian city’s bid. He has also shared some insight into how the proposal is shaping up and what venues are in contention.
Eurovision 2022 in Bologna would honour the late Raffaella Carrà
Speaking to Il Resto del Carlino, Camporesi says: “The idea is to exploit Eurovision to pay a great tribute to Raffaella Carrà, an internationally renowned Bolognese artist. A queen of the scene who would be nice to pay homage to before 180 million viewers”. As many will know, Carrà passed away at the start of July aged 78. She was a huge fan of the Eurovision Song Contest and was Italy’s first spokesperson after their return to Eurovision in 2011. She was also highly tipped to be involved in Eurovision 2022.
An icon of the 1970s, Raffaella was extremely popular in Italy, Spain, France, Latin America and other countries in Europe. She was both a singer and a TV presenter, and she even hosted Spain’s national selection for Eurovision 2008, Salvemos Eurovisión. Her big international hit was “Do It, Do It Again”.
More details on Bologna’s Eurovision 2022 bid
Camporesi believes that Bologna is the best city for Eurovision. He also agrees with the reports citing Milan and Turin as the only other real alternatives from the list of 17 candidate cities. “Bologna is the city in Italy perhaps most in tune with this event,” he says. “It has greater potential than Milan and Turin, in my opinion, the only real competitors”.
Bologna has two possible venues — the Unipol Arena and the Fiera exhibition centre. “Our feasibility studies will cover both the Fiera and the Unipol Arena”, explains Camporesi. “The latter is completing the external arrangement works and in December it will be the envy of other large European structures. The Fiera enjoys great versatility, increased by the new pavilion 37, and reflects the characteristics required by the production. So we have two cards to play”. Although he thinks that “that Unipol remains the most likely candidate”.
The city also has confidence in the team tasked with overseeing the bid. “We called the best in Italy. Starting with Eddy Anselmi, from Bologna, one of the greatest Italian connoisseurs of the event, and since 2012 the Assistant Head of Delegation at ESC. There is John Dennis Mc Cullagh, production consultant for the previous Eurovision, Claudio Santucci of the Giò Forma studio, king of scenographies, Emiliano Bitti, technical director specialised in large events and expert in suspended loads. Another champion, director Christian Biondani, is already at work on both venues to find the shooting tricks suitable for an exceptional television performance. Introducing ourselves to Rai with part of the work already done could represent a great plus in convincing them to choose Bologna “.
Camporesi concludes by saying that the team’s planning goes beyond the venue — “it hits the whole city.”
What do you make of Bologna’s plans? Does it have potential? Let us know in the comments.
If Christian Biondani directs the ESC show for TV as he directed the Il Volo concert in Arena di Verona broadcasted on RAI1, one month ago, we are f****d. The only multicam TV director having the required skills for the role is Duccio Forzano, especially because he is the master in live music and has a musical touch to his direction. Stop. Biondani can be a second director, maybe for some parts of the show, like the voting part, etc. But the performances, the Cue Pilot thing etc., must be directed by Duccio Forzano because he has already used twice… Read more »
Raffaella will be honored no matter the location. I really don’t like people using her name to push Bologna’s candidacy. It’s an exploitation, plain and simple.
Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind Bologna as host city. I still think Turin is a better option for basically every possible reason you could think of but Bologna would be perfectly fine. Just stop exploiting Raffaella’s death please, it’s gross…
ditto.. I felt the same.. this is sort of pushing it a little too far..
I hope it will be Bologna
Do It Do It Again is so catchy, instantly makes you wanna dance!
I am glad Bologna is taking it so seriously, we need a strong competition!
Though Turin has a considerable advantage, It’d be great if Bologna hosted this time and I’m glad they’re committed to achieve such goal!
Mostly good news recently and I’m happy for it! Måneskin finally released the video clip for IWBYS, Duncan is a Grammy nominee and now this! Suddenly I’m supporting Bologna…
Duncan who?
omggg so excited, it seems they are taking it seriously and ofc i am rooting for them. I am not a fan of turin and i prefer Bologna and they got the arena and the airport. Also, San Marino is not far (for hardcore fans who want to pay a visit to Valentina’s garden). Imagine the parties with Senhit and Valentina!!
Good luck!
honestly i was team turin going into this but bologna is growing on me a lot just like maastricht did in 2020
They aren’t kidding around!
And if it is in the Unipol Arena, what are they going to do with the events: ‘Bologna on ice’ April 25th, and with the Eric Clapton Concerts in the middle of may in that venue with tickets already sold ?????
Tell them to come back another time.
Again? After the cancellation due to covid? Not very fair
seriously? that’s the least of their problems. they can definitely move them just like it happened with events in similar arenas that Eurovision was held. Remember that Dusseldorf had to borrow the stadium of a football team for ESC and the team continued their rehearsals somewhere else.
These shows can be moved to another venue in Bologna or they can be postponed before or after Eurovision. I am sure they will be reimbursed for any extra costs. It’s not really a big deal.
With Turin there is not that problem, so its a wiser and sensible choice.
it doesn’t matter where it is, it will honour la carrà.. she was an Italian treasure.
I agree.
Raffaella will always be in the hearts of us Italians.