Italian Biggest News: Statues covered, Franceschini: “Choice incomprehensible.” Palazzo Chigi start an internal investigation

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Statues covered, Franceschini: “Choice incomprehensible.” Palazzo Chigi start an internal investigation – Il Sole 24 Ore

History Article

This article was published on 27 January 2016 at 12:35.
The last change is the January 27, 2016 at 16:07.

That to cover the statues of the Capitoline Museums, on the occasion of the visit to Rome Iranian President Hassan Rohani, was a “choice incomprehensible.” This was stated by Minister for Cultural Heritage, Dario Franceschini, speaking to reporters after the visit of Rohani at the Coliseum. “I think there would be other ways to easily not go against the feeling of a foreign guest so important without this incomprehensible chosen to cover the statues, “the minister added, noting that” they were not informed nor the Prime Minister nor myself of that choice. ”

Superintendent, statues? Ask Palazzo Chigi
No one knew then? The Superintendent Capitoline cultural heritage for its part denied any role in the decision to cover the statues of nudes of the Capitoline Museums, and refers to the ceremonial presidency of the Council. “The story of the statues of the Capitoline Museums covered during the visit of Iranian President Rohani have ask at Palazzo Chigi. The measure was not decided by us, has been an organization of Palazzo Chigi not ours. ”

Capitol statues covered? Managed Palazzo Chigi
Even tThe City of Rome does not know have played any role in the visit of President Rohani at the Capitoline Museums, and then in each of the statues of nude covered. In what has been learned from the Capitol, the event on Monday night was entirely managed by the ceremonial of Palazzo Chigi, and so no ceremonial role was played by the Municipality or its offices.

Al Via an internal investigation
The controversy does not stop and Palazzo Chigi decided to open an investigation.
The secretary general Chigi Aquilanti Paul explained to want to ascertain the responsibility to provide, at the earliest opportunity, all the necessary clarifications concerning the organization of the visit at the Capitoline Museums in Italy Iranian President Rohani.

The visit to the Colosseum
This morning the Iranian president arrived in the arena of the Colosseum accompanied by the Minister and the entire delegation. From the floor of the arena, Rohani greeted several times tourists and journalists, who reciprocated with greeting. The Iranian leader seemed very interested in the explanations given to him by the minister and by a woman interpreter who wore a veil. Rohani has granted long-photographers, continuing to greet them before returning inside the arches. “The Iranian president has shown great interest, as is natural, to a monument like the Coliseum. He asked many questions and was made to tell the story of the monument, “Franceschini told reporters at the end of the visit to the amphitheater Flavio. Speaking to reporters at the exit from the monument, Franceschini added: “The president had seen the Colosseum from the outside but never visit it inside. There was therefore in him that same wonder and curiosity those who have all the people of the world who come to discover this monument. The president also showed great interest in the draft reconstruction of the arena that we explained, we will visit the underground and to appreciate the monument from the center. ”