Antonino Galofaro (correspondent in Italy) / Photo credit: ANDREA CARRUBBA / ANADOLU AGENCY / ANADOLU AGENCY VIA AFP
The state funeral of Silvio Berlusconi took place this Wednesday in Italy. Thousands of people gathered in front of the Duomo, the majestic cathedral of Milan, to pay tribute to the former President of the Italian Council, who died Monday at the age of 86.
White, red and green flowers, in the colors of the Italian flag, cover the coffin where rests Silvio Berlusconi, who died Monday at the age of 86. This Wednesday took place the state funeral of the former Italian Prime Minister. A day of national mourning during which thousands of people gathered in front of the Duomo, the famous Milanese cathedral.
“He was a special man”
On the forecourt, the coffin splits the crowd of AC Milan supporters, who came, flags in hand, to pay a final tribute to the Cavaliere. The charged atmosphere, halfway between contemplation, political meeting and football match, clashes. Chiara and Guiseppe are invaded by emotion but also by the ambient fervor. “What emotion! I came here because I want to thank him,” said this woman. “He was a special man, it’s like a duty. I was called, I had to be here today because it’s like a dad, a family man, a loved one”.
But in the midst of this wave of love sent to the Cavaliere, Silvia turns her back on the Duomo and demonstrates in silence, dressed in a T-shirt bearing the inscription: “I am not in mourning”. “National mourning is really a shame. It was not decreed for characters who deserved it much more, like the anti-mafia judges Falcone and Borsellino. They gave their lives for the state”, judges this woman, the only protester in the middle of the 15,000 people who came to attend the funeral of Silvio Berlusconi.