As the Sanremo Festival stirs emotions, controversies, and collective memories, the real management takes place within our minds rather than on the Ariston stage. Each piece of music we hear, every melody we hum, and each applause in rhythm activates an extraordinary biological machine within us. Professor Paolo Maria Rossini, Director of the Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Department at IRCCS San Raffaele in Rome, emphasizes that music is one of the most complex activities the human brain can process, engaging multiple brain areas related to hearing, language, rhythm, memory, movement, and emotions.

When listening to a song, the auditory cortex is activated, while singing the lyrics engages language circuits in the left hemisphere. Emotional responses to a catchy chorus activate the limbic system, the emotional center of the brain. Invoking the hippocampus, the very memories of our past are triggered when a tune reminds us of a distant summer. This intricate interplay between music and brain activity underscores the depth of our engagement with music, suggesting that it is not merely entertainment but a profound cognitive and emotional experience that evokes a range of responses in our minds.

The Sanremo Festival, known for its cultural significance in Italy, serves not only as a showcase for musical talent but also as a reminder of the neurological foundations of our appreciation for music. This understanding may influence how we approach music in our lives, whether for enjoyment, healing, or artistic exploration, and suggests that the true magic of music lies in its ability to tap into the depths of our cognitive functions, reminding us of our shared human experiences through sound.