# Antonello Venditti Tells His Story: "I, Bullied by My Mother. Lucio Dalla Saved My Life"
Antonello Venditti, the celebrated Roman singer-songwriter, opens up in a lengthy interview with Corriere della Sera, retracing significant moments in his personal and artistic life. Forty years after the release of his album "Cuore" and the iconic song "Notte prima degli esami" (Notte before the exams), Venditti explains how his personal experiences have often served as a source of inspiration for his songs.
### Friendship with Lucio Dalla
One of the most touching moments of the interview concerns his friendship with Lucio Dalla, whom Venditti calls a true lifesaver. "He saved my life when I was separating," the singer-songwriter confesses. "He found me a refuge at Carimate Castle, in Brianza, where the greatest Italian artists came to record their albums. It was there that we became friends. But on the weekends, when everyone else left, I was left alone, and fear consumed me."
### The Fight with Fear
Venditti talks about his struggle with self-fear and his own fragility, a fear that has also accompanied him on stage.
It might interest you
Geolier is getting ready to conquer winter with "081": the new single available from December 5th.
Sanremo 2026, Carlo Conti pulls out all the stops: 30 big names competing, with Naples and Campania taking center stage at the Ariston.
Ornella Vanoni, an icon of Italian music who influenced generations, has died at the age of 91.
Peppe Vessicchio, the maestro who made Italy sing, has died.
### Childhood and Family Relationships
Reflecting on his past, Venditti also touches on his childhood and family relationships. "My father was an anarchist," he says, "he went to East Africa during World War II and was a prisoner of war in Kenya for seven years. He was a singular figure, capable of foreseeing the future and lifting tables, as I have seen him do."
### Family Bullying
Speaking of his mother, a Latin and Greek teacher, Venditti recalls episodes of domestic bullying. "She used to tell me I was stupid and fat as a pig. Now they call it body shaming. I read Tiziano Ferro's story and it felt like he'd copied my life."
### Reflections on Politics
The conversation then turns to politics, a topic dear to the singer-songwriter. Venditti reflects on his past closeness to the PCI, praising the Communist Party's role in defending Italian democracy. "The Communist Party saved democracy in this country," he says. "Our cultural revolution was represented by figures like Berlinguer and Moro; it's no coincidence that they stopped them."
### A Look at the Political Future
Looking at current politics, Venditti expresses concern about the current political climate, but sees hope in the new generations represented by Giorgia Meloni and Elly Schlein. "Meloni is a person who takes action, trying to repair the damage caused by the obvious unpreparedness of many around her. Schlein, on the other hand, must engage in politics in a new way without sacrificing her femininity."
