Bologna, July 19, 2026 – The umpteenth vile act of racist insults on social media this time targeted 24-year-old Imola native Marta Bunda, just hours after the satisfaction of winning Miss Bologna 2026.
Marta Bunda: “There are people who don’t know what humanity means”
Indeed, on the web after the many compliments received for the success in the contest, there were also several racist comments and insults about the skin color of the winner, born in Imola to a family of Congolese origin.
On her social profiles Bunda chose not to respond to the insults, limiting herself to thanking those who showed her support: “Thank you for the beautiful messages. I am trying to reply to everyone, but there are really so many of you. Unfortunately, in the world there are people who don’t know what humanity means, but fortunately there are many others like you. Thank you from the heart for the support.”
Insults on social media: “Only in Bologna do things like this happen”
The most explicit comments were deleted, but phrases like “Here is the typical Bolognese” remain, as well as criticisms of the judges who allegedly awarded the 24-year-old out of excess “political correctness” and of the city which would be too welcoming towards those with dark skin: “Only in Bologna do things like this happen.”
“I have been organizing the Miss Italia contest since 1989,” said the historic organizer of the contest Marco Pellegrini, recounting the event to Corriere di Bologna which reported the news. “Obviously, since 1996 with Denny Mendez and after thirty years, hearing these things still gives me great sadness. I deleted many of the comments, especially the meanest, most aggressive and offensive ones towards the girl.”
According to Pellegrini, finally, the rapid growth of the controversy was also fueled by the great exposure on the social channels linked to the contest.
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