When a situation becomes intolerable, sometimes it’s better to laugh about it. This is what the members of the group Musicisti anonimi (anonymous musicians), authors of a particularly colorful piece, called “The Tunnel of Wonders”. The inhabitants of Roya and Vermenagna will have quickly understood that it is a question of the Tende tunnel, the reopening of which has once again been postponed indefinitely.
On December 28, a few days after the intergovernmental commission (IGC) confirmed that the building could not open – on the grounds that the minimum security conditions were not respected – the group published a dapper piece on Youtube. Whose words nevertheless demonstrate a biting irony. “This year, they promised me the new Tende tunnel, goodbye to the Salt Road, the highway, goodbye to the many bends, the Nava pass. I will stop at the red light if necessary, the train is not enough for me anymore, I want a tunnel now.”
Behind these geographical references lies a humorous reminder that in the absence of a tunnel, motorists must make a four-hour detour to connect Tende to Limone. The rest of the lyrics go in this direction: “My hidden dream is to see Olivetta San Michele” – namely, a town accessible from the SS20, the Italian road to take, in normal times, to transit most easily from Liguria to Piedmont.
“I want my tunnel, what did I do wrong?”
“They told me that the tunnel was closed. I cried, no one seems to hear me. I am alone, sad and disappointed. Goodbye, my stop in Tende”, continue the anonymous musicians. Concluding: “I want my tunnel, what did I do wrong?”
Since its release on Youtube, the song has been shared on Roya Facebook groups. Receiving a unanimous reaction: the facts, although reported in a very funny way, are sadly true. “The Tende tunnel is part of the musical heritage by not opening”we comment on the French side. Or again: “There should be a funeral oration.”
As the name of the group indicates, nothing will be known about its members. Except that they do “crazy music”. And that “The Tunnel of Wonders” is the only video posted on their account. No photo of them to accompany the music, nor even of the tunnel (and for good reason, with the exception of a few Italian politicians and journalists in December, no one can enter the infrastructure!), but words that parade to be able to sing in chorus.
Did the new French transport minister, Philippe Tabarot, hear it before deciding to go to the site this Saturday? Either way, the wish is the same: “I want my tunnel.”
