protest or art?
Canale Grande in Venice suddenly lights up green – and nobody knows why
The water in Venice has turned bright green.
© Luigi Costantini / DPA
A green liquid in the Grand Canal caused a stir in Venice over the weekend. The police examined the water directly – without result. However, she does not assume any danger.
A shimmering green liquid in Venice’s famous Grand Canal has caused a stir in the lagoon city. On Sunday, the water near the Rialto Bridge suddenly glowed green. At first there was no explanation for this. The Italian fire brigade announced that, together with the environmental protection agency Arpa, they had taken samples and were examining them.
The Venice Prefect immediately called an emergency meeting with the police to investigate the incident. According to media reports, the authorities initially did not assume that the liquid was dangerous.
Green water in Venice – as an art action
Some Venetians recalled 1968 when artist Nicolás Garcia Uriburu from Argentina colored the water of the city’s central canal green to indicate water pollution. Because recently in Italy more and more climate protectors were noticed with color campaigns, there were also suspicions that this could be such a protest – but initially nobody confessed to it.
On Pentecost Sunday, the traditional Vogalonga regatta took place in Venice, in which rowing boats, canoes and gondolas take part. It was launched in 1974 as a protest against motor boats.