Rome
CNN
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The director of the Accademia Gallery has said that mass tourism has turned Florence, Italy into a “prostitute”, sparking outrage and calls for his resignation.
Cecilie Holberg has apologized, but Italian politicians this week accused her comments of insulting Florentines.
“Once the city becomes a prostitute, it's difficult to become a virgin again,” Holberg, a German art historian who has been the museum's director since 2015, told reporters on Monday on the sidelines of a press conference to give an overview of the museum. He told the group. success.
“We can no longer find shops, regular shops, only ones exclusively for tourists with tools and souvenirs. This has to stop,” she added.
Holberg's comments immediately sparked a backlash from Italy's culture minister and the mayor of Florence. Both men have been active in the past in having Italians lead Italy's museums.
holberg's mission The museum's contract ends in June, but before the scandal there were calls for it not to be renewed and for the contract to be given to an Italian instead.
In 2014, Italy's Culture Minister Dario Franceschini opened all museum directorships to foreigners, but Italy's current Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the contract had expired and would be rectified.
Florence Mayor Dario Nardella told the Florence City Council on Monday that the city deserves respect and that tourism employs thousands of people.
“Tourism is a resource and must be managed, from the protection of historic centers through UNESCO regulations, to the protection of typical products, to the suspension of certain activities and, finally, to protection by governments. “There's not one issue that this administration hasn't fought on: the rule to end short-term rentals,” Nardella said.
Matteo Renzi, a former prime minister and ex-Mayor of Florence, said he would take the issue of Holberg's tenure to the Ministry of Culture.
“We submit questions to the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, about the shameful statements made by the Director of the Accademia Gallery. Defining Florence as a prostitute is unacceptable. Mr. Holberg must either apologize or resign.” said in a statement on Monday.
Holberg recanted her statement and said she loved A spokesperson for the museum said it was not their intention to offend Florence, the city or its residents, only that Florence, like Venice and other cities, is being “swamped” by tourism. revealed that.
“I'm sorry if I used the wrong word. What I wanted to say is that Florence must bear witness to more conscious tourism, rather than a hit-and-run. For example, in the Academy, we should “We have tried to enhance every special part,” she said in a museum statement sent to CNN on Tuesday.
“Serious and offensive”
Florence attracts a large number of tourists. A World Heritage Site, this area is home to museums, churches, historic buildings and works of art.
Italy's Culture Minister San Giuliano said his ministry would investigate the matter further, but called Holberg's words “serious and offensive” in nature.
“Florence is a great city that represents an important part of our national identity and history. To offend her means to attack the whole of Italy and our feelings. We will evaluate appropriate initiatives,” he said in a statement provided by the Culture Ministry.
Florence Deputy Mayor Alessia Bettini called the comments “delusional” in a statement sent to CNN from her office.
“Calling Florence a prostitute is the most serious violation I have ever heard from someone with such an important organizational role,” Bettini said in a statement.
“According to the director of the museum, Florentines are the children of prostitutes, and tourists are the clients of prostitutes?” She insults the work of other people, and above all, she insults the people of Florence, who, as a non-Florentine, owe a great debt to Florence. ”
