Meet the artist – Sergio Borsato !

Sergio Borsato was born in Switzerland in 1962. The son of Venetian immigrants, he spent his childhood partly with his paternal grandparents, in Cartigliano – a charming village in the Venetian countryside on the outskirts of Bassano del Grappa located on the banks of the Brenta River – and a small Swiss town with an unpronounceable name near Zurich, Ünteriggenthall.

Listen to the CONIFA Euro 2026 Anthem: ANCIENT SPIRIT FALLS (click on the title)

 

FOUR QUICK FAQ´s

1. How did “Ancient Spirit Falls” come about? What was the first image or emotion that inspired you in the composition?
   “Ancient Spirit Falls” was born from the desire to tell the story of the deepest soul of an ancient land, intense and rich in memory. The first image that inspired me was that of endless windswept landscapes: the moors, the rocky coastlines, the rain alternating with golden sunlight. I imagined a land capable of preserving stories, legends and traditions passed down through time, but also a place where a sense of belonging and community remains very strong. From an emotional standpoint, I wanted to convey a feeling of roots, spirituality and unity. The piece seeks to evoke that invisible connection between people, nature and historical memory, transforming it into something universal.

1. The lyrics evoke landscapes, memory, roots and ancient spirit: what is the central message of the song?
   The central message of the song is the deep bond between identity, memory and belonging. Through natural imagery and references to history, the lyrics aim to remind us how important cultural roots are in understanding who we are, without closing ourselves off from the world. There is also the idea that the spirit of a people lives on in everyday gestures, in traditions, in stories handed down through generations and in the ability to remain united over time. “Ancient Spirit Falls” therefore speaks of collective memory, but also of continuity: the past is not seen as something distant, but rather as a living force that continues to accompany and inspire us.

1. What does it mean to you to see your piece associated with CONIFA EURO 2026 – Insubria?
   For me it is a great honour and a source of pride. Knowing that my piece will accompany an event like CONIFA EURO 2026 – Insubria means seeing music become a bridge between different cultures, identities and people. It is moving to think that a composition born from intimate and deeply felt images can be transformed into a shared soundtrack for so many communities. I believe that music and sport have a great deal in common: both speak a universal language, capable of transcending borders and creating authentic connections.

1. CONIFA brings together football, culture and identity: how much do you identify with these values?
   I identify with them very strongly, because I believe that identity and culture are fundamental elements to be preserved and cherished. CONIFA represents something special precisely because it gives a voice to communities that often find in sport a way to tell their story and feel part of something greater. In music too, I always seek to convey authenticity, memory and a sense of belonging. That is why I feel a strong affinity with CONIFA’s philosophy: celebrating differences not as divisions, but as cultural and human richness.

 

Sergio Borsato – the official website