Venice is currently the setting for one of the most spectacular wedding preparations of the year: Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and one of the richest men in the world, is planning his wedding to Lauren Sánchez in the lagoon city. Although the couple have not yet officially married, the festivities surrounding the event have already begun and are generating a lot of talk in Italy - ranging from fascination to fierce criticism.
Numerous international VIPs have been arriving in the city since June 24. Luxury yachts anchor along the canals, private jets land at the airport every minute and the five-star hotels are fully booked. According to the Italian press, the event lasts several days. The wedding ceremony itself is to take place on the exclusive island of San Giorgio Maggiore, while an opulent gala dinner is planned in the closed-off Arsenale.
But not everyone in Venice welcomes the spectacle. In the run-up to the event, activists and environmentalists protested against the "privatization" of public spaces by the super-rich. A huge banner with the slogan "If you can rent it, you can pay more taxes" was unfurled in St. Mark's Square. For many, the wedding symbolizes the growing social divide and the influence of great wealth on public life.
According to reports, the couple had to reschedule parts of the event at short notice in order to deal with the protests and logistical challenges. For example, two planned mega yachts are said to have been canceled. At the same time, Bezos announced a donation of one million euros to a lagoon conservation project, which is seen by supporters as a gesture of respect and by critics as a PR move.
The Italian media are nevertheless devoting a great deal of attention to the wedding. While some papers celebrate the glamor, others warn that the city must not become a playground for the super-rich. Whether Venice will ultimately benefit or suffer from the media attention remains to be seen - at the latest when Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez officially exchange rings.
