“Tourists have turned the city into a prostitute”: statements by the German museum director offended residents of the Italian metropolis

According to the woman, the massive crowds are destroying Forence

The director of the Italian museum La Galleria dell’Accademia, Cecilia Hallberg, caused a storm of public anger with her careless statement. She directs one of the largest art collections in Florence, the funds of which contain, for example, the famous “David” by Michelangelo.

During a press conference about the museum, the director of the Florence museum spoke about how, in her opinion, mass tourism has destroyed the city. Her remarks were published in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. The director said mass tourism had turned a city into a “prostitute” and added: “Once a city has become a prostitute, it is difficult for it to regain its virginity.”

Italian journalists drew attention to the fact that Cecilia Hallberg herself is German by nationality, that is, she also came to their city. The comments from the director of a Florence museum have sparked anger in Italy – especially because they come from a “non-local”, CNN reports.

However, the director explained her point of view: “We can no longer find normal stores, they are clearly aimed at tourists. There are only shops with gadgets and souvenirs all around, and this must stop.”

Many famous public and cultural figures of Italy took up arms against the museum director. Thus, former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who was previously mayor of Florence, was among those who strongly condemned such statements: “Calling Florence a prostitute is unacceptable. Hallberg must apologize or resign.”

Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano called Hallberg’s remarks “serious and offensive” and said that “Florence is a wonderful city that represents an important part of our national identity and history. When you insult her, you hurt the whole of Italy and our feelings.”

Gennaro Sangiuliano is part of Georgia Prime Minister Meloni’s government, which according to AFP is working to get more Italians into top cultural positions. Therefore, the authorities paid close attention to the mistake of the foreign director of the national museum.

The mayor of the city, Dario Nardella, emphasized that tourism is an important resource for the city. Deputy Mayor Alessia Bettini said the comments were some of the worst she had ever heard.

“So, according to her, local residents are the children of a prostitute, and tourists are clients? – she was indignant – Hallberg insulted the history of Florence, where she works, she insulted the work of thousands of people, and, most importantly, she insulted the people of Florence.

In this delicate situation, Cecilia Hallberg decided not to make a statement herself, but to publish her response through an official representative of the museum. She stressed that she did not want to offend the city that she loves very much.

The director of La Galleria dell’Accademia also explained that she wanted to say that Florence is being taken over by mass tourism, which, in her opinion, is also dangerous for other cities, such as Venice.

Efforts are underway to control tourist numbers after UNESCO warned the city could lose its World Heritage status.

“I sincerely apologize for using the wrong words,” Cecilia Hallberg told The Guardian.