The director of Galleria dell’Accademia, Cecilie Hollberg, is facing criticism and calls for her resignation after likening the impact of mass tourism to turning the city of Florence into a “prostitute.” Hollberg, a German art historian, expressed her views during a press conference where she highlighted the museum’s successes. Her comments have triggered anger and backlash, prompting Italian politicians to condemn her remarks.
In her statement, Hollberg remarked, “Once a city becomes a prostitute, it is difficult for it to become a virgin again.” She went on to criticize the prevalence of tourist-focused shops, exclusively offering souvenirs and gadgets, calling for a halt to such establishments.
Despite issuing an apology for her choice of words, Hollberg’s comments were met with disapproval from Italy’s culture minister and Florence’s mayor, who emphasized the need for respect towards the city and the importance of tourism as a significant economic resource employing thousands of people.
Hollberg’s tenure at the museum is set to end in June, and prior to this controversy, there were calls to not renew her contract, urging the appointment of an Italian director instead. Italy’s culture minister, Dario Franceschini, had opened up museum directorships to foreigners in 2014, a policy that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has indicated she would reassess as contracts expire.
Florence Mayor Dario Nardella defended the value of tourism, stating that it is a vital resource for the city and employs a substantial workforce. He emphasized that while tourism should be managed, the administration has been proactive in addressing various issues related to it.
Matteo Renzi, former prime minister and former mayor of Florence, condemned Hollberg’s remarks, announcing his intention to submit a question to the Minister of Culture and calling for her apology or resignation.
In response to the controversy, Hollberg backtracked on her comments, expressing her love for Florence and clarifying that she did not intend to offend the city or its residents. She asserted that her initial statement referred to the detrimental impact of mass tourism on cities like Florence, stressing the need for more conscious tourism practices.
Despite Hollberg’s apology, the fallout from her remarks continued to escalate. Florence Deputy Mayor Alessia Bettini labeled the comments as “delusional” and deemed them the most serious offense from someone holding such an important institutional role. Bettini criticized Hollberg for insulting the history of Florence, its residents, and the thousands of people working in the tourism sector.
Italy’s culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, described Hollberg’s words as “serious and offensive,” emphasizing the importance of Florence as a city representing national identity and history. Sangiuliano pledged to evaluate appropriate initiatives in response to the controversy.
Florence, renowned for its cultural heritage and historical significance, attracts a substantial number of tourists annually. The debate over the impact of mass tourism on cities and the appropriate management of cultural sites remains a complex and contentious issue.
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