2023-07-06 14:47:59
By Max White
Posted 3 hours ago, Just Updated
The Colosseum, a masterpiece of Italian heritage, was erected in the year 80. Fotodesign Fast / stock.adobe.com
After days of searching, the Bulgarian who was filmed defacing the Colosseum has been arrested in Bristol, UK. In a letter, he claims “not to have known how old this building was”.
“Can there be anyone in the world who does not know what the Colosseum is?” This is what the Italian daily wonders The Messenger after the risky attempt at justification by Ivan Danailov, a young Bulgarian residing in the United Kingdom.
A few days ago, the 27-year-old man was filmed by a Californian tourist inscribing his name, as well as that of his girlfriend, on the grounds of the Colosseum. Broadcast on YouTube, the video quickly created outrage on the other side of the Alps. Wanted to answer for his actions, the young fitness teacher was arrested in England.
It is with very deep embarrassment that I admit that it was only as a result of my gesture that I learned how old this monument was.
Ivan Danailov
In a letter of apology to the Rome prosecutor, the mayor and the city, he said: “Aware of the seriousness of the act that I have committed, I would like to address my most sincere apologies to Italians and to the whole world for the damage that I have caused to a heritage of humanity.“Before adding:”It is with very deep embarrassment that I admit that it was only as a result of my gesture that I learned how old this monument was..»
A clumsy justification which only fueled Italian anger a little more. “Rome, which invented the Western genius, finds itself having to suffer from contemporary idiocy, which is moreover imported“, is indignant an editorialist ofThe Messenger.
A sanction that promises to be exemplary
Accused of damaging cultural property on a building listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the British tourist faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros. In 2014, a Russian tourist was fined 20,000 euros for writing his initials on the interior of the Flavian Amphitheatre.
In view of the media enthusiasm, the popular anger and the surprising justification, it would seem utopian to bet on the clemency of the Italian judges despite the remorse expressed by the ignorant youngster.
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