Welcome to Berlusconistan

Milan, June 2009. Silvio Berlusconi during his speech at Palazzo del Ghiaccio for the end of the electoral campaign.

On the 27th of March, 1994, Silvio Berlusconi burst on the italian political scene winning the elections with his new party “Forza Italia”. On the 27th of March, 2009, he shakes Italy again, forming “Il Popolo della Libertà”, the “People of Freedom” a party uniting Forza Italia and the ex-fascists of Alleanza Nazionale.

Since that congress of March 2009 for several years I started to investigate this world. I focused on the people that go to the congress, meetings, rallies and that show in Berlusconi a total faith, despite the scandals and rumors of the past years. I’m interested in understanding the relation that is created between the people and his leader, and how, during this public meetings, they interact between each other. A relation that goes over the politics and his rules, a politician who becomes myth and catalyzes the attention of millions of persons, in Italy and abroad.

The work had an appendix in 2023, upon the death of Silvio Berlusconi, I witnessed the atmosphere in front of his residence in Arcore, Milano and in Piazza del Duomo for the state funeral.

Rome, March 2009. A moment of the PDL national convention

Prato, June 2009. A supporter of Silvio Berlusconi after his speech at Pecci Museum

Milan, September 2009. Freedom Feast

Rome, March 2009, a moment of the PDL national convention

Mirabello (FE), Tricolore feast, August 2009. A moment during the beauty contest for the election of Miss Tricolore. Tricolore (meaning tri-color and how it is called the italian national flag) feast was a week-long festival where supporters of PDL party would have different activities like political meetings, speeches, a restaurant with local food, live music at nightime and even a beauty contest.

Rome, March 2009. A moment of the PDL national convention

Milan, September 2009. Silvio Berlusconi supporter at Freedom Feast

Milan, September 2009. Silvio Berlusconi supporters at Freedom Feast

Arezzo, January 2010. A supporter of the PDL during a conference

Naples, March 2010. PDL meeting with Silvio Berlusconi supportig Stefano Caldoro as governor of Campania region

Rome, March 2010. A moment of the PDL rally that marched through the Italian capital in a show of support for Silvio Berlusconi, the prime minister, ahead of regional elections.

Paradiso Club, Rimini, January 2011. Eighteen years old Karima el Mahroug aka "Ruby Rubacuori" in the private area set up for her in the club. The young Moroccan girl, protagonist of Arcore's nights, is the one from where the investigation of child prostitution involving Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi started.

Milan, September 2009. Freedom feast. Silvio Berlusconi leaves the feast greeted by his supporters.

Arcore (MI), June 2023. Flags, flowers and messages left outside Villa San Martino, the private residence of Silvio Berlusconi where his body was taken for a private funeral home after his death on June 12th.

Arcore (MI), June 2023. sympathizers and onlookers outside Villa San Martino, the private residence of Silvio Berlusconi where his body was taken for a private funeral home after his death on June 12th.