Monday, August 2, 2010

Venezia Makes Effect

Effetto Venezia, LivornoIt is not a secret that I deeply dislike “Effetto Venezia”, the annual festival organized in the quarter of Venezia. It does cost hundreds of thousands of euro of public money for some cheap shows and dubious “cultural” events. The only people making a substantial profit out of it are restaurant owners and food stall vendors.Effetto Venezia, LivornoThis year's theme is Spain, and different places around town have been temporarily renamed after famous Spaniards. The staircase of Town Hall is now the Torquemada stage.Effetto Venezia, LivornoThe square of the “Luogo Pio”, for a few days the Picasso arena, is almost ready for the main events. In the top picture, the wheel is placed in front of the church of “San Ferdinando”.

See also: Effetto Venezia (Official website, in Italian)

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25 comments:

  1. LowellAugust 2, 2010 at 1:21 AM

    And the point of all this is what? To get to know Spain better? Read a book or take a trip. Yes?

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  2. Luis GomezAugust 2, 2010 at 2:04 AM

    I have to say that I love your pictures and comments.

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  3. DinaAugust 2, 2010 at 8:11 AM

    They renamed the City Hall staircase for Torquemada, the Grand Inquisitor who tortured and burned "heretics," burned the Talmud, and supported the decree expelling Jews from Spain??

    Why would they want to remember him?!

    This Effetto Venezia does sound strange.

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  4. propostestefanoAugust 2, 2010 at 8:14 AM

    O quante vorte si sarà risvortolato nella tomba quer pover'omo di Picasso, che tristezza!

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  5. Small City ScenesAugust 2, 2010 at 8:23 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. jooAugust 2, 2010 at 8:48 AM

    Good question Jacob!
    However, the photos are nice:)

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  7. cieldequimperAugust 2, 2010 at 8:56 AM

    Dina's question is excellent and MB's makes me cringe... What about Paris plage?!!

    Personally, I love that church.

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  8. Cezar and LéiaAugust 2, 2010 at 9:04 AM

    Anyway VP, I also love that church, I think I would be there taking pictures of all details for hours, I'm curious about inside.
    Léia

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  9. VPAugust 2, 2010 at 10:30 AM

    Stefano commented that Picasso is turning in his grave, many times.

    @ Dina - I think it is part of some comedian's act, but I'm not sure...

    @ ciel - Touché about Paris plage...

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  10. brattcatAugust 2, 2010 at 1:12 PM

    I agree with Dina.

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  11. GreensboroDailyPhotoAugust 2, 2010 at 1:31 PM

    These festivals can be good for getting people out and for finding great photos. In the US, it will soon be state fair time!

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  12. FranciscaAugust 2, 2010 at 1:35 PM

    I'm used to seeing culture and commerce blended to ill effect in Asia, but I am surprised to hear this happens in Europe. All the comments make your point all the stronger, VP. Thumbs down! (But not to your photos of course, they are fine!)

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  13. B SQUAREDAugust 2, 2010 at 1:50 PM

    I agree with your comment on the use of public funds for dubious cultural events.

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  14. BirdmanAugust 2, 2010 at 2:54 PM

    Hey, looks like carnival-life to me. What do you expect? Culture? ...in the place of cheap prizes, rusty, broken-down rides,greasy food and creepy hangers-on.

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  15. Small City ScenesAugust 2, 2010 at 3:16 PM

    Hello!
    Re you comment on my blog: FFA means Future Farmers of America and 4H is a club for kids from 8-18. Started out just for farm kids but now is urban also. they show their animals, arts, cooking all home-making and more. The 4 H's stand for Heart, home, health and hands---all thing important. MB

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  16. hannaAugust 2, 2010 at 4:22 PM

    I'm with you 100% on these "theme" parks, shows, etc. It is a total waste of resources and money that would be better spent elsewhere, especially during this very difficult economy.

    I agree with Francisca in that I am surprised to see that Europe hosts these kinds of events. Here in the US, this sort of thing is unfortunately very common.

    Oh well, your pictures, as always are beautiful.

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  17. Stefan JanssonAugust 2, 2010 at 5:33 PM

    A bit grumpy today are we?

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  18. HalcyonAugust 2, 2010 at 5:46 PM

    At least it is helping the local economy. The restaurant owners and food stall operators need to make a living too.

    And that wheel looks nice. :)

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  19. VPAugust 2, 2010 at 6:33 PM

    @ Birdman - I wouldn't object to a nice carnival or a food festival. The hypocrisy is to call this costly bandwagon 'culture'.

    @ Halcyon - If a restaurant needs government help to stay open I think it is in our best public interest shut it down as soon as possible.
    But this isn't the case, they have a very good business here, so let them pay for it.

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  20. UnknownAugust 2, 2010 at 8:35 PM

    Torquemada?! Why was this horrible man chosen? I think nothing should be named after him!

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  21. UnknownAugust 2, 2010 at 8:36 PM

    Sorry, VP! I've just read Dina's comment and your answer now...

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  22. GunnAugust 2, 2010 at 10:49 PM

    Bright BLUE sky and many nice places with beautiful details. Are these photos taken when people had "siesta"?? Nice shots.

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  23. DinaAugust 3, 2010 at 7:25 AM

    A poster for a play? OK, that's a relief. I guess ...

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  24. HalcyonAugust 3, 2010 at 4:51 PM

    I agree with you, the taxpayer money should not be used to subsidize local business. That is unfair to others. Ah well...

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  25. tapirgalAugust 3, 2010 at 11:52 PM

    It's all been said. Another great post, VP.

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