In Italy and Spain, neighbors sing on their balconies during coronavirus quarantine

“As Europe implements quarantine measures in hopes of slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus, Europeans on lockdown have begun using their open windows for public displays of solidarity, ranging from rounds of applause for the medical workers on the front lines of the crisis to impromptu opera performances,” writes Matthew Dessem in Saturday’s (3/14) Slate. “Videos of neighborhood-wide singalongs and other public demonstrations of unity have begun spreading on social media. [In] Spain, a social media campaign led to a national round of applause for the nation’s health care workers, with people all over the country taking to their balconies at 10:00 p.m. Saturday to show their gratitude…. In Italy … journalist Jessica Phelan filmed her Roman neighbors singing anti-fascist anthem ‘Bella Ciao.’ Elsewhere in the city … a neighborhood came together to perform …‘Volare.’ In Florence, tenor Maurizio Marchini serenaded the city with a performance of ‘Nessun Dorma.’ And in Siena, people sang the ‘Canto della Verbena’ (officially titled ‘E Mentre Siena Dorme’), a folk song and local anthem more typically heard in soccer stadiums than on empty streets. The videos are an extraordinary record of solidarity in frightening times.”