Rita Garland, Portuguese guitar player
On February 18 at 8 pm, the pub The Hut in Phibsborough will host a Cantata Anarchica, the collective tribute to Fabrizio De André that has been held every year since his death in 1999.
The tradition began on the night of January 11, 1999, when fans gathered in city squares across Italy to sing his songs together. Since 2013, the event has also been marked on February 18, the date of Fabrizio De André’s birth. In recent years, the Cantata has travelled beyond Italy, reaching countries including France, Belgium and Germany.
Anna Charalambidi, accordion player from Greece
This year it lands in Ireland. Given the weather, the Italian piazza becomes the Irish pub. The upstairs room of The Hut, 159 Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7, will host the evening. Entry is free and the event is non profit.
The format is simple. A jam session open to everyone. Musicians, singers and listeners are all welcome. Participants can propose songs written, translated or reinterpreted by Fabrizio De André, including his well known reworkings of Leonard Cohen and Georges Brassens. Bring an instrument, use your voice, or just clap and keep time. Those who prefer to listen can simply join the gathering.
The pub is offering the space at no cost. Guests are encouraged to order at least one drink at the downstairs bar. Bringing outside beverages is not allowed.
The event is organised by Agnese D’Anna, an Italian PhD student who has been living in Dublin for eight years and is currently studying at University College Dublin. Agnese picked up the guitar at 15 after discovering Fabrizio De André and began playing his songs in informal settings with friends, often around beach bonfires. Bringing the Cantata Anarchica to Dublin has long been on her mind, inspired by the strong Italian community in the city and by the wider international audience that might connect with Fabrizio De André’s folk roots.
Free event. Wednesday, February 18, 8pm. The Hut pub, upstairs room.
An open invitation to the Italian community and to anyone curious about Fabrizio De André’s music. A night to sing together, share stories and keep a cultural tradition alive, this time in the heart of Dublin.
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