ICYMI: Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the world’s richest men, and Lauren Sánchez, a helicopter pilot and former news anchor, tied the knot in Venice earlier this week.
Driving the news: Weeks of protests, organized by groups including Greenpeace and No Space for Bezos, a local-run initiative, have pressured the couple into altering the festivities to avoid potential disruptions, including moving today’s reception to outside the city centre.
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Protesters had planned to jump in the city’s canals with crocodile floaties to disrupt the arrival of guests, though this was cancelled following the reception re-location.
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The three-day party across arguably the world’s most romantic city included booking San Giorgio Maggiore, an island usually available to the public, for the ceremony.
Why it matters: Critics say the wedding, with an estimated price tag of US$76 million, has been the definition of conspicuous consumption, attracting more A-listers than a Hollywood premiere and fuelling grievances about the lifestyle of Bezos and his uber-wealthy pals.
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Most of the backlash, however, is around the couple treating Venice as their personal playground, especially as many European tourist centres struggle with overtourism.
Big picture: Some Venetians have praised the economic positives of Bezos and his pals visiting, and his €3 million donation to three local institutions, including one focused on lagoon preservation. Others feel that’s not enough to excuse taking over the city.—QH
