Ghali Olympics Criticism: Peace & Harmony Claim Disputed

The opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was marked by controversy surrounding Italian rapper Ghali, who performed a recitation of Gianni Rodari’s poem Promemoria. Despite his participation, Ghali felt largely absent from the televised event, noting he was “never framed in close-up” and “never mentioned” by the ceremony’s commentators.

A Performance Overshadowed

Ghali expressed his disappointment on Instagram, stating, “Peace? Harmony? Humanity? I didn’t feel any of that, but I felt it through your messages.” He emphasized the importance of people and urged his followers to respond to negativity with positivity, echoing the poem’s message: “There are things you should never do.”

Did You Know? Ghali performed the poem Promemoria, which includes the line “There are things you should never do, for example, war.”

Pre-Existing Tensions

The situation was complicated by pre-existing tensions. Days before the ceremony, Ghali publicly voiced concerns about limitations placed on his participation. He stated, “I know when a voice is accepted. I know when it is corrected. I know when it becomes too much.” He specifically mentioned being prevented from singing the Italian national anthem and a proposal to include Arabic alongside Italian, French and English in the recitation of the poem, was rejected.

A Controversial Telecast

Adding to the controversy, director of RaiSport, Paolo Petrecca, was criticized for failing to mention Ghali during the telecast, despite naming other performers. This omission fueled accusations of censorship and prompted criticism from political figures like Laura Boldrini, who called it “a disgrace unworthy of public service,” and Nicola Fratoianni, who labelled Petrecca “the Melonian Petrecca” and accused him of censorship.

Expert Insight: The controversy surrounding Ghali’s performance highlights the potential for political and cultural sensitivities to impact even seemingly apolitical events like the Olympic Games. The accusations of censorship and the focus on Ghali’s background underscore the complexities of representation and inclusion in the public sphere.

Ghali had previously drawn attention for his political statements, including a call for a “Stop to the genocide” during his performance at the Sanremo Music Festival, and his Tunisian heritage was noted as a potential factor in the treatment he received.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Ghali’s role in the opening ceremony?

Ghali recited the poem Promemoria by Gianni Rodari during the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Why did Ghali express disappointment after the ceremony?

Ghali felt he was not adequately acknowledged during the televised ceremony, stating he was “never framed in close-up” and “never mentioned” by the commentators.

What concerns did Ghali raise before the ceremony?

Ghali expressed concerns about limitations placed on his participation, including being prevented from singing the Italian national anthem and a rejected proposal to include Arabic in the recitation of the poem.

As the fallout from the opening ceremony continues, will this incident spark a broader conversation about representation and artistic freedom in Italy?