Milan, Sleepless Nights for Parini Principal During School Occupation
Milan, February 12, 2026 – For Principal Massimo Nunzio Barella of Parini High School, this marks the seventh occupation of the historic institution. As with previous protests, he has chosen to remain inside the school, spending sleepless nights vigilantly monitoring the students. The current occupation, which began on Monday, has seen students organizing ‘DJ sets’ in the main hall, while the principal ensures the safety and integrity of the school premises.
Principal’s Vigilance Amidst Student Protest
Principal Barella described his night: “I didn’t sleep a minute. My concern was to ensure that no outsiders entered and that the occupation didn’t escalate into excessive acts, fights, or alcohol abuse.” He explained his unique surveillance method: “My office overlooks the main entrance, so I can see who comes in. I can’t rule out that some friends of the students, who don’t attend Parini, might have snuck in, but there have been no incidents.” He recalled a previous occupation two years ago when he intercepted five university students attempting to force open the secretariat door at 2 AM.
Students spend their nights in the main hall, playing music and dancing. “Let’s call it a DJ set,” Barella noted. “Around half past midnight, most go home, but about thirty stay to sleep. I walk along the first floor, where the windows allow me to see who is moving around the school. If anyone goes into areas other than the main hall, I ask them to return. However, their security service has worked well so far; they’ve kept their word.”
A Principal’s Night: Chandler, Shostakovich, and Beethoven
To stay awake through the long nights, Principal Barella has been reading. “This time, no non-fiction. For the first few hours, Raymond Chandler and his noir ‘The Long Goodbye’ kept me company. A literary genre that some snob, but for me, it has great dignity.” He continued, “Then, since I’m in my ‘classical music period,’ I started with Schubert, then moved on to Shostakovich’s quartets, who is my favorite, and finally, dawn arrived with Beethoven’s Seventh and Eighth Symphonies.” He listened to the music at a low volume on his computer to remain alert for any unusual sounds.
Mediation Efforts and Concerns for Post-Occupation Relations
On Wednesday morning, Principal Barella contacted the Digos (Italian police intelligence unit) not for an eviction, but to seek mediation with the students. “For three days, they haven’t allowed teachers to enter. I do not agree with the occupation in any way; it is an illegal and profoundly undemocratic act. Many teachers are upset by what has happened, and I can understand them. They showed up at school for three days and were always kept out. Even if classes were suspended, they should have been allowed in.”
Barella emphasized that only about a hundred out of over 900 students are participating in the occupation. “The majority are at home studying. It’s not true that 500 wanted to occupy. An act was forced, overriding the will even of the democratically elected student representatives. The collective was not elected this year in the assembly.” The occupation is expected to end on Thursday.
Looking ahead, the principal’s primary concern is to mend relations between students and teachers. “We must absolutely mend the relationship between students and teachers. Prevent anyone from thinking of retaliating for what happened against the class or individual students. We can judge the act – and I judge it as undemocratic and unacceptable – but not the person or their political ideas. We are educators.” To address this, a group of teachers has already begun dialogue with the occupying students.
The occupation of Parini High School highlights ongoing tensions between student activism and institutional authority, with Principal Barella navigating a complex situation through personal dedication and a commitment to maintaining dialogue and order.
