A Big Cover-up
By Rosario Mariani, http://www.europebychoice.com
Over 47 Million tourists visit Italy every year. People flock to Italy to appreciate its history, poetry, music, lifestyle and art. They particularly appreciate the magnificent artworks in museums, churches, private collections and all statues seen in every piazza and public space all over the peninsula.
Over 10% of the Italian GDP comes from tourism. The paintings, statues and monuments beckon individuals from all over the world to visit Italy. Art is a reflection of who the Italians are.
70% of the world’s art treasures are found in Italy and Rome enjoys a lion’s share. Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Botticelli, Bernini and all the talented artists have created masterpieces that keep on giving enjoyment and pleasure to the world and will continue do so for many years to come.
But for one day last week, to safeguard a business deal with Iran worth over $18 billion, an unidentified official decided to cover up ancient nude sculptures during the visit to Rome by Hassan Rouhani, fearing that the President might be offended by the nudity of our great patrimony.
To safeguard the interest of a business deal, a message was sent to the world that Italy was more interested in securing a deal than defending their glorious artistic history. Art is for everyone and the Italians must preserve it for the world and nothing must come in between.
Siamo tutti orgogliosi del nostro patrimonio nazionale – We are all proud of our national heritage. Difendiamolo! – Let’s defend it!
Rosario Mariani is the owner/CEO of Europe By Choice, which promotes travel to Italy and other select European countries. He has more than 40 years of experience in the travel industry, previously serving as Director of Italy Product for Italiatour and Club ABC Tours, and also in other positions with EuroFly, Alitalia and Air France.
Benvenuti to the NIAF Pensieri Blog 
I agree 100% with Mr. Mariani’s comment. We are all proud of our Italian national heritage. Cover up our ancient art for an Iran deal? The unidentified official should be fired. If it was offensive to the Iranian visitor, then they should have met elsewhere (perhaps on a ship) or scrap the deal altogether.
Proud Italian-American.
‘Art is for everyone and the Italians must preserve it for the world and nothing must come in between’. You said it right! It seems that all the damage we are causing to our cities, heritage, etc, is made because of ulterior motives, mainly easy money…
Take the case of Venice: we are destroying our city taking advantage of ‘her’, having no respect of centuries of history and heritage, selling out our grandfather’s efforts.
We must defend our national heritage against italians very often!!
Proud Italian-Venetian