In Verona, the staging of two women at a high-profile event caused outrage in the city. The deputy mayor demands consequences.
Verona – An important political event in the Italian city of Verona, at which two ladies dressed as “tables” served champagne to the guests at the weekend, is currently causing heated discussions in the Veneto region. The deputy mayor of Verona accuses the organizers of sexism regarding the artificial staging of the women. Meanwhile, an actress defends herself against the accusations.
As several media outlets in Italy reported on Saturday, the controversial appearance was organized by the Italian organization “Consorzio Zai”, which is committed to promoting the economy of Verona and celebrated its 75th anniversary in the “Palazzo della Gran Guardia”. In addition to smartly dressed guests in suits and dresses, mask actors booked for the event were also on site. Some male performers mingled, according to the regional newspaper Corriere del Veneto in golden suits and top hats or even dressed as peacocks, female performers in fairy costumes, among other things – and as walking “tables”.
Scandal in Italy: “Table women” serve drinks in unusual outfits
Published pictures show the ladies’ appearance: their upper bodies wrapped in figure-hugging white corsets, they walked through the hall from the waist down with a decorated table top around their thighs and served champagne to the guests. Some were apparently reminded of past scandals involving women’s productions. As recently as September, for example, an incident in Sardinia caused nationwide discussions in Italy. At one event, a hotel presented a young employee as decoration for the dessert buffet – the lady, scantily dressed and covered in chocolate, lay on the table with the food that guests could help themselves to.
Critical voices were raised not only after the recent scandal in Sardinia, but also after the evening in Verona. The deputy mayor of Verona, Barbara Bissoli, is said to have been particularly shocked by the depiction of the women. Almost a day later, she wrote a letter to the organization’s president, Matteo Gasparato, asking for a meeting, as several media outlets unanimously reported. In her letter, Bissoli described the incident as “an objectification of women” that “feeds a misogynistic and patriarchal culture that we are trying hard to eliminate.” However, they want to promote the culture of respect and gender equality in the city. The performance was therefore a “disrespectful scene” that “we hope we never have to experience again, neither in this nor in any other form”.
After an uproar over “sexist” staging at an event in Italy: “Tischfrau” defends her appearance
Gasparato has not yet commented publicly on the allegations, it is said. However, internal sources said that the deputy mayor was present that evening and did not express any criticism. Members of the local council even complimented the organizers on the event. One of the actresses herself also commented after the nationwide uproar. In conversation with the newspaper La Republica 21-year-old Michelle said she felt “neither as an object, nor as a commodity, nor as an exploiter.” The young woman earned 150 euros an hour and used her job to finance her studies. “I simply expressed my art in that context. I mean, I worked normally, like I always do. Otherwise I would have refused. I think there is no reason to be outraged, the problems of commercialization are different.”
It remains unclear whether and to what extent the appearance will have consequences. According to the assessment of the Corriere del Veneto The incident could “have significant political consequences.” Vice Mayor Barbara Bissoli continued in her letter: “It is our intention to establish a code of conduct for the entities associated with the municipality of Verona in order to protect the dignity of everyone.” (nz)
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