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IN PHOTOS: The empty streets of Venice illuminated for Christmas

The Local/AFP
The Local/AFP - [email protected]
Published: 7 Dec, 2020 CET. Updated: Mon 7 Dec 2020 15:18 CET
IN PHOTOS: The empty streets of Venice illuminated for Christmas

This December, Venice lacks the tourists who normally give it a festive air at Christmas, but the Italian city has nonetheless highlighted its landmarks to celebrate the holidays this year.

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Saint Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge across the Grand Canal in particular benefit from special lighting and projections that give inhabitants some comfort on long winter nights.

Italian artist Fabrizio Plessi created a Christmas tree on the square with huge rectangular screens that project a golden light.
 
They flood the area with warm light at night, reflecting off wet paving stones.
 
"My aim is to light up this town, which needs light, which needs culture, which needs new emotions," Plessi told AFPTV.

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Owing to the pandemic, "this Christmas is different from the others," said Plessi.
 
"We have this problem like other people all around the world, but I strongly believe in positivity," he said.
 
Christmas decorations installed under a deserted shopping arcade by St. Mark's Square and St. Mark's Basilica. Photo: Andrea Pattaro/AFP
 
The artist explained his choice of light screens to build a Christmas tree by saying: "I work a lot with digital and all contemporary instruments, because I think that an artist must use all the means which his/her time makes available."
 
Plessi placed a second piece at the end of the square, called "The Golden Age" and which also projects yellow light that resembles molten gold.
 
 
Another celebrated symbol of the city, the Rialto Bridge, has been transformed into a screen for light shows once night falls.
 
 
Angels dance on the span's ancient arches and then make way for the gold lion on a red background that is the symbol of Venice.
 
The images are reflected in the Grand Canal, creating an atmosphere full of fantasy and life.

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#art #Christmas #Venice

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[email protected] 2020/12/07 20:27
If you're coming to Italy just for tourism or anything less than 90 days, it shouldn't matter which one you use. EU borders at airports already have automated passport checks for non-EU passports such as the US, Japan, South Korea, etc. I'd be surprised if UK passport holders were not put in this same group post-Brexit.<br /><br />If you want to stay longer than 90 days in Italy, your Irish passport would certainly be better to give you EU rights.
[email protected] 2020/12/07 18:16
I have a question about travel to and from UK. I have dual citizenship: British and Irish. Would someone please tell me which passport would be best to use post-Brexit?

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