Naples - Street musicians and local artists are rebelling against a city regulation that they say is trying to silence the city's beating heart with decibel limits and bans on percussion instruments, including the traditional tammorra.
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In a protest that has set the streets ablaze, these performers – often portrayed as the “crazy” people of the streets – have transformed the scene into a true spectacle of resistance, mixing folklore and frustration against the rules that seem more suited to a rock concert than a Neapolitan tarantella.
In the square, jugglers and artists dressed as Pulcinella, Masaniello and Pazziariello gave life to a colorful riot, performing with banners under Palazzo San Giacomo, the seat of the Municipality, and improvising traditional dances that attracted curious onlookers and tourists.
The crowd denounced paragraph 4 of article 2 of the Municipal Police regulation, which, as they underline, “by targeting instruments and equipment useful for performance, it effectively outlaws many of our initiatives.”
The artists' anger
Many of them complain about fines suddenly raining down on performances that had been going on for years without problems, accusing the Municipality of ignoring the cultural value of these performances.
"Many of us have been notified of fines during performances that for years were not considered as now illegal. We ask, as a gesture of sensitivity, the modification of the paragraph. We all work for the Neapolitans but above all for the city, for the tourists who visit it. We are a clean attraction based on centuries-old traditions", they declared, reiterating their role as the authentic lively soul of Naples.
Article published on 15 April 2025 - 09:26
It is important that street artists have spaces to express themselves, but regulations are made to maintain order. However, it cannot be denied that these traditions are part of Neapolitan culture and deserve more attention.