Pavarotti Statue ‘Trapped’ by Christmas Ice Rink Sparks Outrage in Italy
A festive ice rink in the Italian city of Pesaro has become the center of controversy after it was built around a bronze statue of the late opera legend Luciano Pavarotti, prompting an apology from the city’s mayor. The incident has ignited a debate about respecting cultural heritage and the boundaries of seasonal celebrations.
The statue, unveiled last year in the central square of Pesaro – a city deeply connected to Pavarotti’s life and legacy – depicts the tenor in a tuxedo, arms outstretched, holding his signature handkerchief. Pesaro was not only Pavarotti’s home but also granted him honorary citizenship, recognizing his profound connection to the region, which also birthed composer Gioachino Rossini.
However, the celebratory atmosphere quickly soured when images surfaced online showing the statue partially submerged – “trapped up to its knees” – by the newly constructed ice rink. Nicoletta Mantovani, Pavarotti’s widow, expressed her dismay, describing the rink as “a very ugly” addition that “ridiculed” her late husband’s memory.
“It was like a bolt out of the blue,” Mantovani told the local newspaper Il Resto del Carlino. “I’m sorry the city allowed something like this, because it affects Luciano’s image and the respect he deserves. It’s just not right.” She conveyed feelings of being “disappointed, angry and upset” by the situation.
The situation was further complicated when Mayor Andrea Biancini initially shared an image of the statue within the ice rink, accompanied by a hashtag encouraging skaters to “give Pavarotti a high five.” This action was widely criticized as insensitive and disrespectful.
Biancini subsequently issued an apology, admitting that the local council “made a mistake.” He explained to Il Resto del Carlino that “there was no intention of disrespect,” and that he had been assured the statue would not be impacted by the rink’s construction.
Despite the outcry, Biancini stated that dismantling the ice rink, scheduled to open this weekend in Piazzale Lazzarini, is not feasible. He cited the potential cost and risk of damage to the statue if it were to be moved. Il Resto del Carlino described the scene as the tribute to Pavarotti, who died in 2007 at age 71, having “ended up stuck between the guardrails and Christmas lights, like a stage character who fell into the wrong place and now finds himself directing the traffic of skaters.”
The incident underscores the challenges of balancing festive public spaces with the preservation of cultural landmarks and the sensitivities surrounding the memory of beloved figures.
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