Venice - Tourism shock
00:08
Venice in the early morning: a steady flow of Venetians travel from the mainland into the lagoon city. Less than 60 000 people actually live in the old town. The rest of the city’s workers commute from surrounding areas.
00:22 to 0:29 OPEN
00:30
Venice belongs to the tourists from all over the world. The Venetians are merely service providers. Guest workers in their own city, they must cater for over 20 million visitors a year. This stream of tourists has made the city unaffordable for the locals.
00:40 to 0:48 OPEN
0:50 OT (V. Cousin)
Load Carriers
"I moved onto the mainland, because I can’t afford this house. You need a lot of money here! You have to be as rich as Berlusconi to buy a place to stay in the centre.
1:02 In Italy, everything goes downhill!
01:11 This has already begun with Craxi, who said that Venice should be a museum for the rich
01:20 There are only parties and clubs for the rich. Venice has become one big Disneyland.
1:35 ... The tourists who come here are squeezed like an orange .... "
01:43 - 01: 48 OPEN
01:48
Venice is part of the international Euro-travel trail. Most tourists come just for a day. In the photo backdrop of Venice, the residents are just extras.
02:07
Stefano Soffiato sells souvenirs at St. Mark's Square, just as his father and grandfather have done before him. These earlier generations could not know what the consequences of their profitable business with the mass tourism would be.  In the last 40 years Venice has lost half of the population. Every day more citizens are leaving the city.
Stefano is trying to bring the general public’s attention to this problem.
Once a week, he updates this digital counter in the window of a pharmacy…
2:42 OT (Mark Weibel)
Stefano Soffiato
Souvenir seller
"The idea came to me as part of a citizens' initiative. Our group is called Venessia.com. The newspapers have repeatedly stated that there are fewer Venetians living here. We have installed this counter so that the development will be visible to everyone. I update the population count according to the official data of the council. "
03:06
Venessia.com is just one of many citizen initiatives to have been made in Venice in recent years. This group also includes Matteo Secchi and his wife Beata.
03:17 OT Matteo Secchi (Victor Cousin)
Hotelier
"Ninety percent of my friends have left Venice. You can’t find an apartment here and young families are looking for a future outside of Venice. "
03:35
Matteo and his wife, originally from Poland, pay € 700 a month for a 40 square meter apartment - not expensive for Venice.
03:46 to 03:57 OPEN
04:00 Beata Kaczmarczyk (Nicole Walker)
"We would like to have another son or daughter, but in this little apartment we do not have enough room. We wait and hope. We don’t want to live outside of Venice "
4:13 Ot Matteo Secchi (Victor Cousin)
Hotelier
"The market has no housing for ordinary people. Either you are a millionaire or you are looking for a council apartment. But even this is difficult because there are currently around 2500 entries on the waiting list.
04:32
And yet there are thousands of empty apartments in Venice - private as well as council-owned. One only needs to look around; everywhere you see closed shutters. "
04:43
Due to the high restoration costs a lot of local property lies empty, or becomes privatised. Apartments are only converted into tourist accommodation. It has transformed Venice into a giant hotel complex, say the critics. The boom of bed and breakfasts only benefits the homeowners, driving rent up. Outside of the tourism industry, there are few job opportunities.
05:15
Matteo has leased a hotel, but he will soon be out of business. The costs are higher than his revenue.
5:25
His father visits him daily. He lives in Marghera on the mainland. Mario Secchi is one of many who cannot afford to live in the city, but can’t live without the old Venice. Where else can you find a city without cars, built between water and sky, where man determines the pace?
05:48
Mario goes to one of the local wine bars, which have survived in hidden corners, despite the tourist flow. Here time still ticks Venetian-style.
DIALOG (they speak almost on top):
5:58 OT (Victor Cousin)
Luciano Mazzucato
Retired factory worker
"For four years I lived outside in Mestre."
6:05: OT (Mark Weibel)
Mario Secchi
"Oh, I see: you belong to those who were gone and are back again?
6:07: OT (Victor Cousin)
Lucciano Mazzucato
"As soon as I could, I came back,"
6:09 OT (Mark Weibel)
Mario Secchi:
"You were desperate?
6:11 OT (cousin)
Luciano Mazzucato
"Yes, my wife as well."
6:14 OT (Weibel)
Mario Secchi
"The young left this city against their will, didn’t they.”
06:20 Here one has a drink and chats about this and that, and then moves on and meets the next friend. In this tranquil, car-free city the people simply find each other.
6'37 "This luxury of time and space is also a treat for the ears. Venice is also a sound experience!
6:43 to 7:06 OPEN
07:06
She is perhaps not the most accessible city…
7'14 "
But those who live here remain fit.
7:19
Stay, go, and come again - a constant topic between Venetians of all ages!
7:25 OT (Weibel)
Mario Secchi
"And I assure you: as soon as I can, I'll come back to Venice!"
07.33OT
Sandra Milina (Nicole Walker)
Capitalist
"Imagine, my husband has never used his driver’s license – he can’t walk here with it!"
07:42
One cannot be in a hurry in the old water town.
7'52
Whoever wants a car and low rent must head to the industrial suburbs on the edge of the lagoon. Some 200,000 inhabitants live in Mestre and Marghera.
8'05 "
But after many years there Mario Secchi still feels like a fish out of water.
8:13 OT (Weibel)
Mario Secchi
"This is typical of Mestre"
8:14
Mario Sechi lives here because his apartment costs a third of what it would in Venice. Social housing is not lacking here. Since Mestre is considered a district of Venice, the council has simply pushed the housing problem onto the mainland. It leaves the Venetians no choice; they can only get an affordable flat in Mestre. It seems that Venice is expelling its own residents.
08:40
The bitterness of these retired workers is impossible to ignore.
8:45 OT (cousin)
1 worker
"We are not here voluntarily, we were forced to go to the mainland!"
QUESTION (just after) I (off vocal)
Forced by who?
"8:52: OT (cousin)
1 worker
"By politics, as usual"
8:58 OT (Weibel)
worker 2
"I am very angry. I am anarchistic and left wing, and I can’t stand these politicians who administer public property according to their mood and in favour of their private interests. "
9:13 OPEN
9:15
In fact, the dissatisfaction of the Venetians with the administration of their city crosses all parties.
9:21 
Count Ranieri da Mosto is regarded as arch-conservative. He lives in a classical building that Lucchino Visconti has used in his films.
9:28 OPEN
09:36
Conte De Mosto is on the Executive Board of the Association of Venetian Patricians. They took care of politics and administration during the Middle Ages. For solving the housing shortage problem, the Count has an original idea.
9:49 OT (cousin)
Count Ranieri da Mosto
D. Board Association patrician
"In the 14th and the 15th century, Venice was the number one city-state in Europe. (pause) No doubt that Venice no longer exists, and to revive it again is not easy. (pause) But I have a suggestion. You could build an artificial city, outside the lagoon, where the Lido is. The city could be 6 times 4 km in size and have the same basic shape as Venice. There would of course be the freedom to build skyscrapers - that would be part of the new Venice '.
10:39
The Count believes the old heart of Venice should be as well preserved as his palace. In these rooms in 1996, the Lega party proclaimed the independence of northern Italy, the so-called Padania. De Mosto is a supporter of the right-wing Party of separatists, which want to be removed from the south of Italy. Just as in the time of his ancestors, who discovered the Cape Verde Islands, only the Venetians and no one else should determine our own destiny, he says.
11:09 OT (cousin)
Count Ranieri da Mosto
D. Board Association patrician
"Venice and the Veneto province should by re-administered only by Venetians and, together with the Lombardy, absolutely independent of Rome."
11:28
Venice has long been a bastion of the left. The moderate Mayor Orsoni is new in office. He can expect difficult times. He has taken over a lot of old burdens and empty coffers. Rome owes Venice 42 million euros in special payments.
The new mayor is at one of his first public performances, the inauguration of a police boat.
11:58
OT (Weibel)
Giorgio Orsoni
Mayor v. Venice
"For two years, Rome was not charged – we are now claiming the money. This is a special budget, which according to the law Venice is entitled to.
12:10 I (Off vocal): Noemi Fischer
Why is this money not paid?
Ot: (Weibel)
Orsoni (right after the question): Because of budgetary constraints…
12:14 ICH (voice-over) - Naomi Fischer
The Berlusconi government maintains, however, that Italy is doing very well!
12:17 OT (Weibel)
Giorgio Orsoni
Mayor v. Venice
"Then they should prove it to us!"
12:19 I (off-vocal) - Naomi Fischer
How?
12:20 Ot: (Weibel)
Giorgio Orsoni
Mayor v. Venice
"By transferring the money to us!"

12:25
But even without the special budget Venice is still invested in. Not in its housing, however, but in more prestigious projects.

12:28 OPEN (music "shock in my town")
12:45
The beautiful but somewhat uncomfortable bridges built by star architect Calatrava have cost 12 million Euros.
12:56
A further 18 million euros was swallowed up by the construction of the modern "people movers” - the largest car park on the outskirts of Venice now connects to the bus terminal at Piazzale Roma.
13:15
The first priority has been the huge project MOSE at the entrance to the lagoon. The Italian government is investing up to five billion euros in this new lock system, to protect Venice from flooding.
13'30 "
Engineer John Stocker explains the complex device that will lock the lagoon when the water level rises above one metre. Construction is expected to be finished in two years and will hopefully protect the slowly sinking Venice.
13:45
Ot (in German)
John Stocker
Engineer
"Over the last 100 years the city has been very affected by the floods. The old town has lost about two thirds of its population. This is certainly not only due to the floods, but is in part because of them. If more security is given, and floods can be prevented, then that is a part of the revival of Venice. This is not the solution to everything, however – there are other problems that also need to be solved ... "
14:17
A big problem is the huge cruise ships. These ships sail directly across the lagoon city, moving huge masses of water and endangering the old buildings resting on stilts.
14:39
The rush of passengers to spend only a few hours on land here is enormous. The former trade centre always welcomed ship passengers with open arms, but today the Venetians are overwhelmed, says the historian Nelli Vanzan. 
15:00 OT (Nicole Walker)
Nelli Vanzan Marchini
Historian
"The merging of public and private interests was characteristic of the" Res Publica ". Venice was never a monarchy, but was managed by patricians and citizens of the Republic. The interests of the public were important. We can only save Venice if we defend the harmony and fragile structures. In previous centuries, we have protected Venice from invaders very well. They could not conquer the lagoon. Today we have to protect ourselves from the national and international investors. "(15:32)
15:37
The latest plans causing great concern to the historian are for a subway. The underground tunnels will run beneath the lagoon. Several models are currently being reviewed. Conservationists are alarmed.
15:58
But is the subway really a realistic prospect in a city dominated by canals?
16:10 OT (Weibel)
Giorgio Orsoni
Mayor of Venice
“One must take into account a more modern transportation system, including the construction of a subway beneath the lagoon. If the experts claim that this is the best system, I will of course allow the project. "
16:24
The subway will take passengers directly from the airport to the old town. Nelli Varzan sees no benefit for the residents. She fears that the flow of tourists will only become more rapid and bring the lagoon city to the edge of collapse.
16:42 OT (N. Fischer)
Nelli Varzan Marchini
Historian
"Venice has its own tempo, determined by pedestrians and waterways. Of course, the people need faster transportation. The most appropriate would be faster boats. But the visitor who wants to enjoy this city should adapt to its slow rhythm. "
17:04
But currently it is the other way around. It is not the tourists adapting themselves, but the city fitting to the needs of its guests. There are hardly any shops for the resident’s daily needs - souvenirs dominate the city's retailers.
17:20 OT (Weibel)
Andrea Baruffaldi
Seller
"We are like panda bears; we are threatened with extinction. The politicians are to blame, they have no housing strategy, and they don’t help young Venetians. "
17:29
Venetian craft has almost disappeared. Even the legendary Murano glass is usually not from Italy. The majority of the coloured glass has been globally manufactured.
17:43 OT (Weibel)
Andrea Baruffaldi
Seller
"A lot of it is made in China and Eastern Europe, in the former Soviet republics – in Moldova, for example. "
17:53 - N. Fischer
The producers come from there to sell the glass?
17:55
OT (Weibel)
Andrea Baruffaldi
Seller
"No. The Venetian glassmakers can then produce it because it costs less there but they can sell it here. "(18:02)
18:09
Mario Messina has worked as a glassmaker in Murano his whole life. Today he sells glass souvenirs, labelled “Made in China”.
18:19 OT
Mario Messina
Glazier
"The Chinese have learned very quickly. And the glass is the same no matter where it is produced. The only difference is the price of labour. As far as I have heard workers in China earned a 2-3 € per day. Our glazier receives up € 200 each day for the same work. "(18:40)
18:45
The Venetians have a great craft tradition. But today you have to go to the cemetery located on the island of San Michelle to meet some of the last marble masters of Venice.
There were once thousands of them. They created the fantastic art and structures that tourists from all over the world marvel at today. Yet it is hard for today’s craftsmen to find buyers.
19:06
19:20 OT (Weibel)
Tino Fabris
Steinmetzer
"At the cemetery, there is still quite a lot of work. But in Venice only gondoliers and souvenir sales make money. Other professions have little chance. But for a functioning society we need diversity. "
19:39 OT - Julieta Rudich (off-vocal). Noemi Fischer
How many people are buried each day here?
19:42 OT (Weibel)
Tino Fabris
"We have 4-5 funerals a day. 3, on average, "
19:48
Twice as many people die in Venice, than babies are born. The population is aging and city is losing its inhabitants.
19:59
Whilst Rome is known as ‘the eternal city’, Venice has long been associated with death and decay. Gondolas carry the mourning and the city is always sinking.
20:13.
Set designer Ezio Toffolutti doesn’t see Venice this way. He has lived in other European cities for several years designing sets in famous theatres, before coming back home. Today, he considers Venice from a healthy distance.
20:30 OT
Ezio Toffolutti
Set designer
"There is a morbid and negative tradition, that started with the Romantics, to see Venice as ‘the city of death’. But I know no more vibrant city than Venice. No other city in the world is so close to nature. The water comes in and out four times a day - by ebb and flow. And as we know, water is life. "(20:57)
20:57 - OPEN 2100
21:00
Yet you won’t meet many optimists in Venice. So how can the city be revived?
21:10 OT (cousin)
OT Ezio Toffoluti
Set designer
"Through the university, through new talents that come from outside the city and help to shape it. Most artists and intellectuals here came from somewhere else. "
21:21
Between 20 and 30,000 students visit the Venetian universities. Their meeting point is Campo Santa Margherita. After studying only a few stay here. In the past it was easier for young academics and artists to take root in Venice.
21:37
One student, Liselotte, has found her home here. Originally from Vienna, she came to Venice in the 1960s.
21:52
OT Liselotte
Artist
"At that time Venice and Italy in general were very poor, but still quite happy. Austria was right down. I didn’t want to go back to Austria to study art so I applied to the Academy here.
22:12
Liselotte lives in Venice in her own private paradise. She has one of the so-called secret gardens, hidden from the prying eyes of the tourists.
22:27 OT
Liselotte (in German)
When I came here there were lots of artists living here. Today it is difficult because it is so expensive, you can’t find anything here, and everything is uncomfortable. A large part of the charm of Venice has been stripped away by these tourist masses. 
22:49 ...One can imagine the end of Venice... just black bats and sad houses. This is a happy ship, which I have dreamed of many times - you can only dream of such vessels. And down there, there is a cat that does not exist around here anymore. "

23:06
Up to 10 years ago thousands of stray cats populated the streets of Venice. Today they are a rarity. The cats have been collected up, sterilised or put down on behalf of the community, but without consulting the locals.
23:26
Performance artist Paolo Donozato tells the story with bittersweet humour.
23:34
OT (Nicole Walker)
Nicoletta Clanetti
Teacher
"We need some cats to chase away the rats. We have more rats than people. We certainly don’t lack rats and pigeons. "
23:46 OT (cousin)
Paolo Donozato
Actor
"Today you can only buy expensive things here. Free-running cats are not part of that, so they are gone. Gone is the freedom to live as before. A few years ago people who weren’t rich could still live side by side with those who came to wealth. Today you have to be rich, or you can’t make it here. There is no alternative. "(24:14)
24:14
But it is not all bad. A small alternative scene of young people are resisting. Emmanuelle and Alessandra live in the district of Santa Marta in occupied dwellings. The properties are owned by the council and were empty. (24:32)
24:36
They are not the only squatters. In the neighbourhood there are dozens of unemployed people and students in similar situations.

24:47
OT (Weibel)
Emanuelle Broccardo
"We all dream of a normal house. This is not a lifestyle choice; we are not in Berlin in the 80s. We have occupied apartments because we have the right to live in our own city and because we don’t want to be forced to live outside. "
25:08 OT (Nicole Walker)
Alessandra Fassa
Charwoman
"I was forced out by the council. Eight years ago, when I got married and was pregnant with my first child, I applied for a council flat. I was the thousandth on an endless waiting list. The council told me that I would have to wait 15 years, if I had a chance at all. "(25:33)
25:36
Alessandra is now a mother of four children and has a part-time job as a cleaning woman. The authorities exert pressure on the squatters over and over again, but they don’t want to give way. Where could they go with so little money?
25:59 OT (Nicole Walker)
Alessandra Fassa
(Char)
"Hopefully, she won’t need to occupy an apartment when she grows up." (26.01)
26:05
Across the water is the neighbourhood of Giudecca. The island across from San Marco draws in new residents. Grocery stores and other normal shops survive without needing to sell souvenirs.
26:20 OT (Nicole Walker)
Caterina de Cesero
Gallerist
"Venice is losing its population, but the Giudecca is the only part of the city experiencing the antithesis of this."
26:31
The Giudecca is a former slum area. Today the city administration is investing here. New houses are being built and the establishment of creative businesses that work with modern technologies is encouraged. New galleries are opening here and traditional craftsmen are finding customers. Such forward-looking projects could perhaps help other districts of Venice too.
27:04
Whether the Giudecca model sets a precedent or the massive pressure from the tourism industry and investors puts an end to Venice, will come down to council policy.
27:26
Stefano Soffiato has obtained new demographic data and must correct the digital counter again. This week a further 26 people have left Venice.
27:46
A new day – and the cycle of tourism begins again in the world heritage site. Is Venice becoming a theme park or an exclusive urban development? Either way, the Venetians want their city back.
------------------------
AKM:
Author: Nino Rota: "I tre Suonatori" 34 '
"" Gelsomina "48''
Pino Daniele: "Sono un cantante Tues blues' 34''
Daniele Sepe: 1'11''
Franco Battiato: Shock in my town 2minutes 8''