Emma Marrone song goes viral amid Italian cost-of-living protests

Emma Marrone’s 2012 Sanremo winning song, ‘Non è l’inferno’, has resurfaced on TikTok as a soundtrack for ongoing protests in Southern Italy. The track is being used in videos documenting blockades by truck drivers and farmers protesting rising fuel costs and the general cost of living.

The protests, which began in early October, initially centered on Calabria and Puglia due to the end of fixed excise duty discounts on diesel. The movement has since expanded to include Sicily, Campania, Basilicata, and Molise, resulting in highway closures and port demonstrations.

Originally released in 2012, the song addresses the economic struggles of families facing insufficient wages and unsustainable expenses. On TikTok, the 2021 version of the track has been featured in nearly 10,000 videos, while the original version has also seen increased usage.