Santino and Gaetano Spinelli, 61 and 31 years old.
The father sitting with the accordion, the son standing with the violin. Together with them, ten other musicians from all over Europe. Thousands of people watched them in the Nervi Hall of the Vatican. Indeed, “pral”, which in the Romani language means “brothers”. Among them, for one day, Pope Leo XIV. Father and son are Santino and Gennaro Spinelli61 and 31 years old. The first is a musician, university professor and Roma writer known throughout the world. The second is an activist and president of the Union of Italian Roman Communities (UCRI). And above all, he too is a nationally renowned musician.
The first song they sing is Murdevelethe “Our Father” in the Romani language. Leone listens, there is emotion in the room. On the other hand, yesterday the Vatican hosted the Jubilee of the Roma, Sinti and Travelers for the first time in its history. A celebration of the millenary culture of a persecuted people, but who “has never waged war on anyone”, explains Santino, “nor carried out acts of terrorism. And we transformed our suffering into music”.
Leo invited them to be «protagonists of the ongoing change of era, walking together with other people of good will in the places where you are, going beyond mutual distrust, making known the beauty of your culture, sharing faith, prayer and the bread that is the fruit of honest work”. Gennaro doesn’t hold back his emotion: «We have played in fifty countries in the most important theatres, such as La Scala in Milan and the San Carlo in Naples, but performing in front of the Pope is priceless. And then, there were thousands of brothers and sisters listening to us.” The two, from Abruzzo but known throughout Italy, work together to talk about Romani music. They have deepened and perfected it, mixing it with years of study at the Conservatory. Achieving high level results and recognition.
The first Pope for whom they played together was Benedict XVI, in Bresso in 2013. Then Pope Francis. But yesterday’s performance had something special: «The first Jubilee dedicated to us was beautiful», explains Gennaro, «and yesterday there were Catholic, Orthodox and Muslim Roma who arrived from all over Europe. Not only that: together with the 3,500 Roma there were more than 6,000 non-Roma, demonstrating that we are an open community.” The Spinellis are a family of musicians: «Starting with my father, a great music lover who passed on his love to us. When my children Gennaro, Giulia and Evelise were little they all played instruments at home, and there was an incredible harmony.”
For Roma culture, the seven notes have always been «a pillar of cultural transmission, because ours is a predominantly oral tradition. If our culture has been kept alive it has been through music. Through songs, children have always learned the language and history of their community. Each song has a philosophy of life and an ethic to transmit.” In a context like the Italian one in 2025, playing also becomes a tool for resisting discrimination, which “is rampant”, explains Gennaro. «Suffice it to say that 83% of Italians have negative feelings towards our community, and that 0% of Roma in Italy feel culturally accepted. This is why we wish to convey a message of harmony between peoples: music has no borders, it speaks to everyone’s heart and promotes coexistence.”
(Photo above: Santino and Gaetano Spinelli, internationally renowned Roma musicians, perform during the Jubilee of Roma, Sinti and Travelers)
