The 2021 Sanremo Music Festival is in
turmoil after Culture Minister Dario Franceschini came out
against it taking place before audience, even if it were made up
of paid extras rather than paying members of the public.
Sources said presenter and Artistic Director Amadeus was
thinking of quitting if it is not possible to have any sort of
audience because of COVID-19-prevention rules.
At the moment, Italy's cinemas and theatres are closed as part
of measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
"Sanremo's Teatro Ariston is a theatre like all the others are
and so, as (Health) Minister (Roberto) Speranza clarified
yesterday, the public, whether they pay, are let in free or are
extras, can only return when the rules allow it for all theatres
and cinemas," Franceschini said via Twitter.
"Let's hope it is soon".
The much-loved annual music extravaganza, screened by State
broadcaster RAI, usually takes place at Sanremo's Ariston
theatre in February but has been pushed back to from March 2 to
6 this year due to the pandemic.
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