The picturesque canals and historic landmarks of Venice were recently transformed into a glamorous backdrop for the wedding festivities of Amazon's Jeff Bezos and TV star Lauren Sanchez. As the couple prepared for their grand gala, celebrated guests arrived via luxurious water taxis, while a visible protest unfolded below, highlighting the divide within the city. Locals united against the wedding, voicing concerns over environmental degradation and the impact of over-tourism, a sentiment reflected in the protest banner hung from the iconic Rialto Bridge, declaring "no space for Bezos."
While Bezos playfully acknowledged the presence of protesters, the city's deputy mayor defended the high-profile event as a boon for tourism, which he deemed beneficial for Venice’s economy. Simone Venturini, a city councillor, expressed optimism that such elite celebrations would encourage more weddings in the city, asserting that Venice welcomes its visitors.
Despite initial plans for more provocative protests—including attempts to disrupt travel on canals with inflatable crocodiles—most activists refrained from significant disruptions. Their planned evening march was allowed to proceed, albeit with police presence. While the wedding lavishly progressed with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kim Kardashian mingling, a sense of unease persisted among locals over the overwhelming tourist influx.
As much as the event garnered media attention for its glitz, it also exposed the stark realities of everyday Venetians. Many lamented the transformation of their home into a tourist playground, pushing many long-time residents, like Roberto Zanon, out of their homes due to rising rents and property sales to developers. Despite the challenges, some locals like Leda welcomed the Bezos event, viewing it as an opportunity to attract more upscale tourism compared to the low-cost, brief visitors flooding the streets.
As the wedding festivities draw to a close, Bezos' reported donation of around three million euros to conservation efforts in Venice highlights a complex relationship between wealth-driven tourism and local needs. Critics, however, argue that such contributions, in light of his wealth, are merely a fraction of what is required to sustain the city in the long term. The question remains: will such high-profile events ultimately benefit Venice or exacerbate its ongoing struggles with tourism?
