Message to André Kuipers from Eugenio Finardi
Included in André Kuipers' playlist on the International Space Station is a song called Oggi Ho Imparato A Volare, by Italian singer/songwriter Eugenio Finardi (the title translates as "Today, i would like to fly"). This is André's 'song of the day' on his blog for 25 April which, coincidentally, is a public holiday, Liberation Day, in Italy. Eugenio is one of Italy's most successful and influential rock singers and musicians, and his albums from the 1970s are considered classics of Italian rock.
Eugenio is fascinated by astronomy and spaceflight, and said: "I have a real passion for astrophysics and space travel, not believing in UFOs and such but in the true spirit of scientific discovery. I have also written a few songs about space exploration, one inspired by Voyager's images called 'Oltre Gli Anelli di Saturno' (recorded also in English as 'Beyond the Icy Rings of Saturn') and another one called 'Le Stelle Stanno Ad Aspettare' (The Stars are Waiting)." One of his well-known songs is 'Extraterrestre', about wanting to travel in space.
Eugenio was thrilled that his music is on the International Space Station,
and he has been following André Kuipers' PromISSe mission closely. He was
particularly supportive of the 'Earth Hour' initiative, when people all over
the world turned off non-essential lights to raise awareness about the need
to take action on climate change. Earth Hour was supported by André, who is
an ambassador for the World Wide Fund for Nature, and ESA.
Eugenio is fascinated by astronomy and spaceflight, and said: "I have a real passion for astrophysics and space travel, not believing in UFOs and such but in the true spirit of scientific discovery. I have also written a few songs about space exploration, one inspired by Voyager's images called 'Oltre Gli Anelli di Saturno' (recorded also in English as 'Beyond the Icy Rings of Saturn') and another one called 'Le Stelle Stanno Ad Aspettare' (The Stars are Waiting)." One of his well-known songs is 'Extraterrestre', about wanting to travel in space.
Eugenio was thrilled that his music is on the International Space Station,
and he has been following André Kuipers' PromISSe mission closely. He was
particularly supportive of the 'Earth Hour' initiative, when people all over
the world turned off non-essential lights to raise awareness about the need
to take action on climate change. Earth Hour was supported by André, who is
an ambassador for the World Wide Fund for Nature, and ESA.