ISLAMABAD:
Venice is on edge as preparations ramp up for the wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Laura Sanchez, set to take place in the iconic Italian city later this month.
While local officials hail the event as a boon for the city’s economy, some Venetians are protesting what they call the “privatisation” of public space by the ultra-rich.
Dozens of banners reading “No space for Bezos!” have appeared across the city, including on the historic Rialto Bridge.
Protest organisers say the lavish nuptials are an insult to residents facing chronic housing shortages and underfunded public services.
Tommaso Cacciari, a key figure in the protest campaign, accused Bezos of attempting to transform Venice into a “private party venue.”
City Officials vs. Citizen Backlash
Despite public opposition, local authorities, including Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and regional governor Luca Zaia, defend the wedding.
They argue it will generate revenue for local businesses, including gondola operators and hotel owners, by attracting global media and celebrity guests.
The event is drawing comparisons to George Clooney’s 2014 wedding in Venice, which brought both fanfare and global attention to the city.
While details remain under wraps, the guest list reportedly includes major names from film, fashion, and tech industries.
The city has attempted to manage public concern by stating that the wedding will involve only around 200 guests and will not interfere with daily life.
Officials emphasized that crowd control and public order will be maintained throughout the celebrations.
A Celebrity Affair with Public Consequences
Bezos, 61, became engaged to 55-year-old Sanchez in 2023, after finalizing his divorce from Mackenzie Scott, with whom he shares four children.
Sanchez was previously married to talent agent Patrick Whitesell and has three children from previous relationships.
Set to take place between June 23 and 28, the wedding is being dubbed “the wedding of the century.”
However, to many Venetians, the event represents a broader issue — the growing pressure of tourism and celebrity culture on local life.
