Venice's Big Wedding Sparks Big Debate

A wealthy couple is getting married in Venice, and not everyone is happy about it. Jeff Bezos, the super-rich founder of Amazon, and his partner Lauren Sánchez are planning a huge wedding in the city. This has caused a lot of arguments. Some people are upset because they think the wedding will cause problems for locals and the environment. The wedding is expected to be very fancy and expensive, with reports suggesting it could cost between $23 million and $34 million. This has made some people angry, especially because Venice is already struggling with too many tourists. The city is sinking because of rising sea levels, and many residents are moving away because of the housing crisis. Protesters have been making their voices heard. They have put up posters and banners around the city, including on famous landmarks like the Rialto Bridge. They are upset about what they see as the privatization of their city and the government's focus on tourism instead of the needs of residents. The wedding organizers have said that they are trying to minimize disruption and respect the city and its residents. They have also said that they are using local businesses and suppliers for the event. Bezos has also made donations to Venetian charities, including a million-euro donation to a group that studies the city's lagoon ecosystem. Despite the protests, Venice's mayor has said that he hopes Bezos will still come to the city. He has also said that he is ashamed of the protesters. The wedding is expected to draw hundreds of guests to the city, which is already struggling with overtourism. The exact details of the wedding are still a mystery. Some reports say it will take place on Bezos' superyacht, while others say it will be on a private island or in a historic event venue. Protesters have said that they will do whatever they can to stop the wedding from happening at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a historic school armory-turned-event venue. The debate over the wedding is part of a larger conversation about the impact of tourism on Venice. The city has been struggling with overtourism for years, and many residents are fed up with the way the city is being treated as a playground for the rich and famous. The wedding of Bezos and Sánchez has brought this issue to the forefront, and it will be interesting to see how the city handles the situation.