Canale Grande in Venice glows green

Near the Rialto Bridge, the water suddenly glowed green. The Italian fire brigade announced that, together with the environmental protection agency Arpa, they had taken samples and were examining them. The Venice Prefect immediately called an emergency meeting with the police to investigate the incident. According to media reports, the authorities initially did not assume that the liquid was dangerous.

It is not the first time that the Grand Canal has been colored green. In 1968, during the 34th Venice Biennale, Argentine artist Nicolas Garcia Uriburu colored the canal’s water with a fluorescent dye to draw attention to water pollution and raise awareness of environmental protection.

The incident is reminiscent of recent actions in Italy where environmental groups colored monuments. For example, the water of the Trevi Fountain in Rome was dyed black with biochar to protest against fossil fuels. So far, however, no one has acknowledged the green color of the Canale Grande. The representatives of the climate protection group “Last Generation” also said they had nothing to do with the incident, reports the newspaper “La Repubblica” in its online edition.

On Pentecost Sunday, the traditional Vogalonga regatta took place in Venice, in which rowing boats, canoes and gondolas take part. It was launched in 1974 as a protest against motor boats on Venice’s canals.

qu/kle (dpa, rtr, afp)