"I no longer have to prove anything to anyone, only to myself. That's why this year I decided to take risks , dedicating myself to the weakest , to those who suffer. I don't care if I lose a few points in the ratings: I want to do it and I will continue to do so. ".

Mara Venier , the aunt of all Italians, as she defines herself, returns to Rai1 at the helm of "Domenica In" starting from 11 September , with an edition - the fourteenth one that leads, one more than those led by Pippo Baudo - in which the news will forcefully enter.

At the opening of the first episode, immediately the dutiful homage to Queen Elizabeth , who passed away yesterday: "I had a deep admiration , I still have a smile on her. The same one she also had in the last photograph, when she met Prime Minister Truss", says the presenter presenting together with Simona Sala, Day Time Entertainment director, the new edition of the program directly from the Rai Fabrizio Frizzi studios, from where it will be broadcast.

"I am worried , excited and I feel the responsibility, but at the same time at this point I think I have to be more serene. Now I can dare and also deal with news events ", says the presenter, who in 2023 will celebrate 30 years since her first Sunday In.

Also in the first episode, just keeping faith with the objective of telling reality even when it is difficult, it will host the sister of Alessandra Matteuzzi , killed by her ex-partner in Bologna last August: "It is a story that particularly struck me - he says. - It is not easy to bring in front of the cameras those who have such severe pain ". But then, as always, there will be lightness, great one to one interviews: "Again this year I will start with Loretta Goggi ", he says, "it's a superstitious matter. Then Alberto Matano will arrive and interview us both, together". There is also space for cooking and, obviously, for music, with the orchestra in the studio but also with a theme song composed for the first time for the program, entitled “An exceptional day”, written and interpreted by the musicians Andrea Sannino and Franco Ricciardi.

THE FORMAT - After the success of last season, the main characteristics of "Domenica In" do not change, a popular show-container, light without falling into superficiality, but above all entirely built around the presenter, her impulses, her emotions.

"Only a madwoman like me can dedicate 14 years of her life to this program that I can't say no to, and that has given me everything, first and foremost the affection of the public. With the pandemic I have acquired a credibility that I did not have before. ", he says, recalling the dark days when the virus claimed so many victims. "I was scared, I faced difficult issues. I have a husband with a pulmonary disease and I was afraid for him, so I wanted to stop. Then I decided to come back. But I'm happy when people say thank you for the company made during the pandemic" .

From the first “Domenica In” broadcast 30 years ago “everything has changed - he explains - Italy has changed. But even that formula, with a program full of things, made up of many people who were like a family and that today would not work ".

"It's a great effort - he continues -: for 3 and a half hours I don't give up for a moment. I twist everything live, I live the program emotionally, I never know exactly what happens. And with the guests a special empathy is created : I fall in love with who I have in front of me. I never have written questions, I listen to the answers a lot and I get ready on Saturday evening. But I have to be let free ".

"The secret of my enthusiasm is the pain I have had, this has led me to love what I do . Being the aunt of Italians is beautiful: I receive many expressions of love and I often get emotional , maybe it will be my age", she says. with a smile, "I am who I am for better or for worse, I am not able to mediate and I can be uncomfortable because I am always clear ".

"This summer I spent 3 weeks in Santo Domingo - he concludes - where I wondered why I work so much. The answer is only one, because I love my job. I always say that I leave, but now nobody believes me anymore. I know I have retirement age, but as long as the public follows me I'll be there . At 70 there is still life. "

(Unioneonline / vl)

© Riproduzione riservata