Renowned Italian art critic and commentator Vittorio Sgarbi might be notorious for his outspoken TV appearances, but his cheerful departure from Malta on Monday stunned his fellow compatriots.

In a viral Facebook video posted by Prof. Sgarbi, he is seen singing along to the Italian song O Bella Ciao at Malta International Airport's departure lounge.

While a young man plays the tune on MIA's public piano, Prof. Sgarbi is seen encouraging other young passengers to sing the Italian classic song. His Facebook post elicited scores of comments, not all of which are complimentary.

A former politician, he was once described by a critic as the "most foul mouthed, aggressive, short-tempered Italian you are ever likely to be unlucky enough to meet".

Prof. Sgarbi was in Malta to deliver a public lecture and launch his book Dal Mito alla Favola Bella: Da Canaletto a Boldini (Il Tesoro D’Italia V), at the University of Malta Valletta Campus.

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