Florence, via the Ferris wheel. The clash between the mayor and the superintendency continues
«Unfortunately, the dismantling of the Ferris wheel at the Fortezza da Basso will begin tomorrow. Superintendent Pessina said “no” to the request of many citizens and visitors for an extension of a few weeks, which I have convinced myself to bear. I am very sorry because the project was so much appreciated. In any case, we will go on for an ever more enlightened and contemporary Florence ». This is the regretted message that the mayor of Florence Dario Nardella has entrusted to Facebook. Despite his commitment – and his formal request for an extension forwarded – the Ferris wheel installed in December will be dismantled immediately. No derogation to stay another 45 days. “Citizens have inundated us with requests because the panoramic wheel, forever or at least a little longer – the mayor had written on social media – demonstrating that it is a good idea, as we have always maintained. A request to this effect has just been sent to the superintendent, I really hope he will grant it “, wrote the mayor last Friday.
From the credit card logo to the Ferris wheel
In short, the two – as in a Guareschi novel – do not really get along. Or rather: they have a very different idea of a city in their heads. According to some even adopting a somewhat dusty management of the cradle of the Renaissance. And so the Florentines and also the tourists – to be honest in these days of undeclared lockdown (the streets, the clubs and even the Uffizi are empty) – can do without the Ferris wheel that a little joy in this climate of widespread melancholy, he had given it, especially to children.
The highest in Italy
The wheel was inaugurated on 4 December at the Fortezza da Basso and was the highest in Italy: 55 meters for 42 cabins. «Surely the wheel will be the attraction of the year in relation to Christmas – declared Nardella – I have three children, many times my children follow me to do something fun. I believe that the novelty of the wheel is a message to a community to live this Christmas with joy together, obviously with great attention. Then I remember one thing: the place where today we have the wheel and the skating rink was a center of the shop. So I think that citizens prefer a place where children and families live, rather than a place dominated by drug dealers. This is the message we give: before there was crime and degradation, today there will be joy and fun ». Now, that the wheel will be disassembled, who knows.