During those first, dramatic days of lockdown balconies became, for a large number of Italians, the sole place to experience human contact. Stepping outside on that small, reassuring outdoor corner of our home was the closest thing to our former life we had: we could see the streets, we could meet our neighbors, we could even sip a coffee in compagnia, all within the safety given by height and distance.

On our balconies, there was no risk of infection. As creative and romantic as we are, we soon took to them to sing, party and to show affection and respect for frontline workers, inaugurating a trend that was to be embraced by the whole world.