Venice Braces for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s Wedding
Sumptuous marriage Between the founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sanchez, is scheduled from June 26 to 28 in Venice, Italy. For months, however, demonstrations against the event have taken place in the city, intensifying in recent days with the campaign “No Space for Bezos” – which refers to its investments in aerospace – on the social and environmental impacts of marriage, which will occupy a large part of the center of historic lagoon which is already under pressure from the high tourist flow.
What we know about the event
The three -day celebration promises an unprecedented pump, located among historic buildings, luxury yachts and international VIPs. Three major events are already planned: the exclusive gala evening on June 26 at the Venice Lido, the exchange of wishes the next day in the Teatro Verde on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore and the Grand Final of June 28 which will take place in the Scuooola Delal Delale of the 16th century.
The list of guests for wedding weddings of Bezos-Sanchez includes the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, the Oprah Winfrey television host and actors, including Leonardo Dicaprio, Barbra Streisand, Eva Longoria, Orlando Bloom and Robert Pattinson.
Exclusive private evenings are also planned in secret places in the small lagoon islands, notably Burano, Giudecca and Sacca Sessola. This is an event that will surely leave its brand in Venice, especially in terms of environmental impact and the possible drawbacks that it could create for the city’s transit infrastructure.
80 jets and more than 30 private water taxis
The guests will arrive on 80 private jets and will travel on more than 30 water taxis already reserved, yachts and gondolas.
According to some official sources, flights from New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris and Dubai are planned. Not to mention the luxury yachts coming to Venice, with moorings already planned between the maritime station, Punta della Dogana, San Basilio and Riva Degli Schiavoni.
Among these is the own majestic ship of Bezos, Koru, the Superyacht 417 feet long which cost $ 500 million, as well as its 246-foot support ship Abeona, equipped with a deck of helicopter and dedicated staff, although there is still no confirmation that it will enter the lagoon.
The only yacht already accosted on Tuesday is the M’Brace of the legendary basketball player Michael Jordan, who arrived with his wife. Between 30 and 50 water taxis were reserved full time for the three days of the event, each of which will cost the bride and toilet up to 400 euros per hour.
For or against
The major celebrations have divided public opinion. According to some, the enormous expenses for the organization of Bezos’ wedding could have a positive impact on the territory, going to finance hotels, transport, catering and exclusive locations. The Washington Post, owned by Bezos, said that around 80% of products and services come from local Venetian suppliers.
But at what price? The other side of the medal includes a collective of activists and residents who “No space for Bezos“Months ago, denouncing the spectacularization of the city to the detriment of residents. The demonstrators establish several plans to block roads and navigable sailors. Among the reasons for the demonstration, there is the environmental impact that the mass mobilization of so many vehicles can have on the Lagoon City, which has already fought against the creation caused by tourists.
However, the city of Venice has made assurances that the marriage between Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez will cause “no disturbance for the city, its residents or tourists”. Over the years, in fact, Venice has managed to successfully manage international events even more impactful than this one, such as the G20 economy, G7 justice, bilateral meetings of the State and the biennials of art, architecture and cinema. The organizers, the municipality, then specifies: “have not reserved an excessive number of gondolas or water taxis, as read in the newspapers, because the interest is to ensure that the city works normally, for everyone, without any disturbance for anyone.”
This story originally appeared on Wired Italy and was translated from the Italian.
