Italy's museum chief calls Florence a 'prostitute'

Italy’s museum - The Galleria dell’Accademia’s director, Cecilie Hollberg, ignited a political uproar, including criticism from Italy’s Culture Minister, as she called Florence a “prostitute” due to mass tourism. Expressing concern over the city’s transformation, Hollberg stated, “Once a city becomes a prostitute, it is difficult for it to become a virgin again.” Hollberg, known for overseeing Michelangelo’s statue of David, emphasised her desire for Florence to reclaim its beauty for its citizens, decrying the overwhelming presence of tourism-dominated streets lacking everyday shops. However, she conceded that the situation might be irreversible without an “absolute” cap on tourist numbers. Following the controversy, the Galleria dell’Accademia released a statement where Hollberg apologized for her choice of words, clarifying her intent to advocate for responsible and conscious tourism. Despite the apology, Italy’s Culture Minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, labeled Hollberg’s remarks as “serious and offensive,” threatening potential action and vowing to evaluate available legal measures. Critics, including Florence’s deputy mayor Alessia Bettini and former premier Matteo Renzi, questioned the analogy, with Bettini asking if Florentines were the “children of a prostitute” and tourists the “clients of a prostitute.” Renzi called for an apology or resignation from Hollberg. This incident is part of a larger concern within Italy regarding uncontrolled tourism, particularly in cities like Florence and Venice. The nationalist government, accused of favoring Italians in cultural roles, faces scrutiny as cultural officials express worries about the impact on heritage sites. Venice, in response to a UNESCO warning, plans to implement a ticketing scheme in April to manage tourist numbers.