Mauro Nardi's concert banned, the singer speaks out: "I never praised crime. I'm requesting a meeting with the mayor."

"I've been singing since I was fifteen, when I started with Gianni Desideri's RAI orchestra. Today I'm seventy-two years old and have dedicated my entire life to Neapolitan song." Mauro Nardi issued a statement following the decision by the mayor of Termini Imerese, Maria Terranova, to cancel the celebrations in honor of San Daniele, scheduled for October 17, due to the singer's presence.

The artist firmly rejects any connection between his musical activity and the glorification of crime, emphasizing that he has never had problems with the law or ties to illegal circles.

"I've never had any problems with the law or any ties to the world of crime. For this reason, I firmly reject any association of my persona and my music with any form of glorification of the underworld. In fact, I've always sung only about love and feelings," Nardi states.

At the heart of the controversy are some statements the artist made in television interviews about ten years ago, in which he described performing at private parties attended by mafia members and having close ties with the Casamonica family. These comments sparked controversy and, according to the singer, were reused without restoring their original context.

"The interview in question dates back to about ten years ago, when I was returning from America. It's unfortunate that those words are being exploited without conveying the meaning I wanted to express: the love for Neapolitan music transcends all environments and reaches a wide range of people," he says.

Nardi also clarifies the meaning he attributes to the references to the Casamonica family. "As far as I knew at the time, I was referring to a family I had encountered through my work, like many others. I didn't mean to express any approval of criminal conduct."

The singer reiterates his condemnation of organized crime and violence. "I understand that some of the words in that interview may have caused some confusion. I want to make it clear that I have always condemned the Mafia, the Camorra, and all forms of crime and violence," he states, specifying that he spoke exclusively from his own professional experience.

In the statement, the artist also recalls his personal commitment to initiatives dedicated to the memory of victims of crime. "My family includes prominent law enforcement officials, and for years, together with Carabinieri General Carmelo Palazzo and Commander Giuliani, I have organized celebrations in memory of Salvo D'Acquisto, personally covering the costs. This too is part of my history and deserves to be remembered forever."

Hence the direct appeal to the mayor of Termini Imerese: "I ask Mayor Maria Terranova to meet and get to know each other, before an entire life is judged by a few sentences. I share her respect for the victims of the mafia and for those who have sacrificed their lives fighting it. I would like to turn this controversy into an opportunity for dialogue and a hymn to legality."

Nardi finally asserts the repertoire he's built over decades of career. "My repertoire includes over 240 Neapolitan songs: I sing about love, feelings, life, and social life. I've never sung to praise the underworld. My music belongs to those who love it; no criminal organization can appropriate my artistic identity."

The singer concludes by announcing that his lawyers, Angelo and Sergio Pisani, will protect his reputation and his rights in the appropriate venues, in compliance with the institutions and with the declared aim of shedding light on the matter.