Orietta Berti, feminist in my own way

This article is published in number 12 of Vanity Fair on newsstands until March 23, 2021

A reassuring, maternal image. Always, without exceptions. And then the now famous collections of dolls and holy water fonts. But – be careful – also of petticoats. Feminine is for sure, Orietta Berti.

And a feminist?
“Sure. We women must, first of all, be respected, I always say that. Respect must be demanded, but we must also know how to conquer it: a woman, to arrive, must not be frivolous at all costs.

We are not objects ».

How did you manage to always be respected?
“You understand when a man makes advances to you. It must be blocked, immediately. Maybe you miss a chance, but who cares. Another one will happen. I have always done this but, you know, I have never had that provocative charm which is sometimes useful, but sometimes… it puts you in a bit of trouble, let’s say ».

Her mother Olga was a true feminist, one of those who made propaganda and participated in the parades.
“She was a very strong-willed woman with a dramatic story. She had to go to the altar with the boy she grew up with. Becoming a doctor, he fell in love with a colleague, married her and died on their honeymoon. A huge tragedy for her. My father was very modern at the time in marrying an already compromised woman. She came from a partisan family, she was a communist, she believed in her ideals. In April it was hell: the house was full of red paper to make the flags that were hung all over the country. My father, very religious, shook his head, said it was exaggerated. He called her “the Marshal” ».

I know he was distributing We women, the monthly of the Unione Donne in Italia.
“And I was always with her. At the women’s party we sold mimosas. And for the first of May the red carnations. Always for the party, huh. People were tired of giving us money: are you still here ?! And they slammed the door in our faces ».

Orietta child, in the center, with a jacket, and her mother, in the background in the dark, at a procession for women’s rights in Cavriago in 1954. The 77-year-old singer, 9th place at the 71st Sanremo Festival with When you fell in love, celebrates 55 years of career with a box set of 6 CDs.

What child was she?
“A savage. I was alone with the boys, I wanted the men’s bicycle to be freer ».

Did you understand then that women can do the same things as men?
“Yes, I did what they did, except for the hard work. The buckets of water, full, I could not carry them. I filled them halfway ».

Have they ever told her: “You are female, this is not done”?
“Yes, when I used to ride a bicycle. I was pedaling hard like males, and once I ended up in the canal. They pulled me out and my mum gave me two good slaps. “

Did he get his driver’s license?
“Sure. Osvaldo says I’m a mess. But look, I’ve never had an accident. I fused three batteries, yes, because I forget to pull the handbrake down ».

What did your mother teach you about how a woman should behave?
«He just told me: I can’t teach you anything, because I was disappointed in my love. Remember: you never have to be completely sure. You must always be on the alert, be a little suspicious, cultivate doubt ».

Did you follow the suggestion, with your husband Osvaldo?
“Never doubted him: he’s a Capricorn, he doesn’t betray.”

At home, who holds the reins?
“As long as they were there, my mom and my mother-in-law. They commanded. They raised our two children, we were always out and about for work. They are genuine kids, grown up well, with healthy principles and feelings ».

How did you teach them respect for women?
“They had the example of their father.”

He has a little niece, Olivia. What will the world be like for a young woman of her generation?
“Easy, for a woman, it never is. But I think he won’t have to fight as much as we did against prejudice. Women today do huge things, like and more than men. With the pandemic, have you seen how many female scientists there are now? ‘

In his passage By bet, from 1972, sings: «For you love, do you want to explain to me what it is? Or did you marry me as a bet, to clean the house and always say yes? ‘ Feminism in melody.
«In my latest album there is the courage to call it love: it speaks of unfortunate and weak women who cannot get away from a man at the first slap that comes to them. But how do they manage to stay with criminals until the end? ».

What do you think of the more recent feminist movements?
“Everything is welcome, everything that supports the emancipation of women. But we must not exaggerate. The woman must never exaggerate ».

What do you mean by “exaggerating”?
“To expose yourself too much, with vulgar words and actions. Never lose your dignity ».

What achievements do women still have to grab?
“The really important jobs, and then the equal pay. We deserve it, we women are very strong. On the other hand, we are the ones who make men, right? ».

Which woman would you name a street in Italy?
«To Margherita Hack and Rita Levi-Montalcini».

In 100 years, a street dedicated to her. Would you like it?
«But I’m not up to it! In the case, however, a square. I spent my life singing there, in the squares ».

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Photo by Stefano Pilli

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