Venice, the floating Venetian capital, where the archaic prophecy of ambling on water appeares to come true. Every single street is a canal filled with gondolas. I visited Venice on a rainy March day. That pouring weekend, the amount of water in the canals had increased and almost the entire Piazza San Marco was gliding in water. Honestly, I have to confess, I was amazed by the architecture and fascinated by each alley, bridge or gondola. Although, something drew my focus, it was that Venice is slowly disappearing. The water that exerted its power like an invincible Goddness has dematerialized the houses and buildings. Also, Venice is losing its identity, as if it was gradually not belonging to Italy or Veneto. The desire of the people there to preserve its identity had faded. Besides that, the shops or businesses were not authentic to the vibes of Venice. I am just an ordinary tourist, with the bare essential knowledge about art, but someone can sense the gust. As in so, the city was trying with all its might to be saved. Perchance, I distinguished in the pletora of photos I took, a banner that caught my attention. It said: “No Mafia, Venice is Sacred“. A muffled cry begging for help to be saved. Venice, cannot be saved if a rich oligarch closes it for a week to satisfy the desires of his wife or mistress. Neither, if the ego of a rich trader; who proudly exhibits his power even in one of the most beautiful spots in the world, requires to extend his merchandising. Apart from Venice’s battles to survive, even other ancient cities are encounting difficulties. Nowadays, as a matter of fact, we have seen that many cultural monuments around the world are being destroyed. These masterpieces are left not only at the mercy of fate. As if that is not enough, they will be at the leniency of people, who have no love or knowledge about art. Bourgeoisie, who are only egocentric and think about money. I am not Italian, neither do I claim to speak on behalf of an Italian citizen. I address this situation as a citizen of the world whoever credits that art must preserve its authenticity. What I am indicating, it should be no place for egocentric, narcissistic or mafia-like power to intervene and to destroy it. Please, save Sacred Venice, the world needs its veracity.
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