Dua Lipa and Callum Turner's first celebrations in Palermo were marked by rigorous measures to protect the couple and their guests. Piazza Sant'Anna and Piazza Croce dei Vespri were heavily fortified and closed to anyone without an invitation pass: a gold bracelet . The cell phones of those entering—but not among the guests—were jammed by security guards positioned under a gazebo just before the Galleria d'Arte Moderna. Dua Lipa, 30, and Callum Turner, 36, arrived with some friends in black vans with tinted windows at the GAM, booked for a private viewing.
Then, in Piazza Croce dei Vespri, just outside the Galleria, beneath the 18th-century Palazzo Ganci Valguarnera, made famous by the famous ballroom scene in Visconti's "The Leopard," the first celebration took place, with an aperitif served at round wooden tables and chairs from the Osteria dei Vespri scattered throughout the square. A concert followed, amidst antique mirrors and vintage cars also serving as tables for food . Barriers and black tarps, positioned in the alleys surrounding the squares, blocked access and prevented anyone from peeking in. To allow vehicles to reach the Galleria unimpeded, barriers were erected on Via Roma, where a group of about forty fans of the pop star gathered, but, regretfully, they couldn't see anything. Then the crowd, including journalists and cameramen, were cleared away by the police.
Guests included Mark Ronson and his wife, Grace Gummer, daughter of Meryl Streep; Charli XCX and her husband, George Daniel; and Olivia Dean. The newlyweds' families also arrived in Palermo. But the closure of streets and squares to public use didn't please everyone, despite Mayor Roberto Lagalla calling it "exceptional publicity for Palermo." Posters appeared on the walls around the squares, later torn down by security personnel, reading: "Our square is not your living room." "Public spaces belong to everyone, we demand the right to use them free from private profit." "Freedom of movement."
Someone wrote "Palermo is not for rent" on a wall in paint, but this graffiti has also been removed. "They closed Piazza Croce dei Vespri because of this picciuttedda (little girl). Crazy, I don't care," says an incredulous group of passersby. Francesco Costanzo, owner of the Rosalia bar, says: "In the short term, it's causing a lot of problems because people can't get through, even on foot. They've blocked the streets, causing traffic problems, even for pedestrians. It's clear worldwide that it's a beautiful window and could even generate a boost in tourism to Palermo and so on. Right now, however, it's causing problems."
Francesca di Carlo, owner of Bar Timi, disagrees: "We haven't noticed any changes; our clientele has remained the same. So we've had neither a positive nor a negative impact; everything's the same." Caterina Rao, owner of Osteria Santa Cecilia, says: "No changes. Customers still come. We worked well yesterday. Events like these benefit the city because they allow tourists to experience places like Palazzo Gangi or Bagheria. There should be more events like these to attract international attention, not just in terms of food."
Today, the festivities move to Bagheria's Villa Valguarnera, which has been under lockdown since Wednesday, with construction workers and security personnel on duty. Guests are expected from 6:30 PM onwards for the highlight of the Sicilian weekend. Rumors are rife that Elton John will be arriving and performing at Villa Valguarnera. Drone flights have been banned above the villa.
(Unioneonline)
